Question:
Ok my husband just went out on his on last week. He has spent his $160 advance and got another one for $90 4 days ago how is this possible?The only thing I can come up with is maybe lizards?? I don't think he ever would but how else do you explain all that money being gone in that short amount of time. He is spending his check before he ever gets it. So anyone that explain this to me please do .I am about ready to tell him to bring it one home if I have to foot the bills here by myself he might as well be here to babysit. Any advice?????
mom of two wife to one jenna

Answer:
At first when just starting out, it isn't uncommon to blow money. A new driver buys things like a CB ($50-$400), a fridge, ($70-$200), a TV, ($50-$350), an atlas ($12-$40), various tools and supplies, etc. Once he has these things, he won't be spending mony on them. Also, because he is a new driver, he hasn't had a chance to figure out where the least expensive places to eat, shop, and park are. If he is eating 3 meals a day, and not being careful about where he eats or what he spends, he could easily blow $50-$70 a day just in meals and snacks.
Add to this money that must be paid for scales, tolls, lumpers and a driver can go through quite a mint! If his company is decent, they should be paying for tolls and scales, either through a credit or debit account, or by reimbursement.
New drivers typically take advances, because they have no money to start out with, yet their expenses are sometimes greater than those of a veteran driver. But it is a bad habit to get into.
Last time I was OTR, I could get by on $25 a day or less, not counting tolls, lumpers, and scales. I would buy much of my food at the grocery store while I was home on the weekend, and stick it in my fridge. I made my own breakfast and lunch, and I ate dinner at a restaurant. All my drinks and snacks were things I brought from home. I didn't buy anything at a truckstop if I could help it, because truckstop prices are typically higher than regular stores.
"I consider myself a good judge of character, and that's why I don't like nobody."
-Roseanne
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@#*!%$^@!

Answer:
Not to be a smart butt...
But, why don't you ask him?
You are married to him not us!!
Looks like there's some mistrust between you two, and you BOTH need to be on the up and up with each other.
What highwayman said, would be the more then likely thing.
Then there's the cherry and card machines, gambling boats and other foolish ways to bet and lose your money.
Many drivers are just plain not good money mangers!!!!! Company advances all the money they want. And to them it’s like their rich. Not realizing at the end of the week these no cheek to the house!
You both need to sit down and talk it out. This as we can see, is putting a kink in your marriage. You need to get things straight now before it starts eating at you, and you both say and do things that you’ll both regret down the road!!
Good luck!
Hope things get cleared up. -->
************************************
Indiana RoadRunner
A legend in his own mind!
"carefull...the law of averages will catch you!"
PLEASE do not "X" Christ out of Christmas

Answer:
I have asked and I do trus him but the stuff he said just don't add up .I always tell him what I think . I told him at least if he was par-taking of lizard(yuck gag)lol meat it could explain the money. I know it's not cheap but this is becoming a expense on me. And I know I am married to him and not ya'll but I thought maybe I could come her to try and figure out what could cost so much out on the road. he isn't buyong cb frig atlas or things like that. But I am sorry I bothered ya'll guess I should not ask questions
mom of two wife to one jenna

Answer:
Maybe he is picking you up little Christmas presents at the truckstops. That may explain why it's not adding up. If he told you the truth there would be no surprise.

Answer:
Originally posted by carolinakidzwife:
But I am sorry I bothered ya'll guess I should not ask questions
mom of two wife to one jenna
Why are you mad now?
You asked; and we gave you answers based on limited knowledge of you and your husband’s relationship or conversations!
I don’t actually understand what you are looking for now!
Most of us are men, we don’t feel your pain like woman do. I guess you were looking for a poor you, or some kind of prayer.
Whichever!
We’re here if you like to vent some more. We’ll help if we can. Even if the answers are not always the one your looking for! -->
************************************
Indiana RoadRunner
A legend in his own mind!
e
.
mom of two wife to one jenna

Answer:
You said last week, but didn't say how many days the $160 lasted him.
General average, if a driver is being very careful, is about $25 per day. That takes a lot of discipline to maintain, more than many drivers have.
If he has to hang around a truckstop, gets bored, it's real easy to blow $20 bucks or more and not know where it went.
Agree with IRR, you two need to sit down and talk (not fight) about it.
Basing that just on the limited info you gave.

Answer:
That's a good point, he may be Christmas shopping on the road. Most drivers do that because they are too burnt out to shop and often don't have time to carefully pick out presents when they get home.

Answer:
Originally posted by carolinakidzwife:
Ok my husband just went out on his on last week. He has spent his $160 advance and got another one for $90 4 days ago how is this possible?The only thing I can come up with is maybe lizards?? I don't think he ever would but how else do you explain all that money being gone in that short amount of time. He is spending his check before he ever gets it. So anyone that explain this to me please do .I am about ready to tell him to bring it one home if I have to foot the bills here by myself he might as well be here to babysit. Any advice?????
mom of two wife to one jenna
I'm sure with saying this I'm not telling you nothing that you don't already know, but in trying to ease your what seems to be thinking the worse, here goes...
It takes a lot of new to the road drivers a while to loose the eating three meals a day habit.
I'm not talking about not eating, I'm talking about eating / buying three meals a day.
Think about it...
Breakfest, lunch, or dinner with coffee/tea is right at +/- $10. That's $30 a day not to mention coffee, soda's, and various snacks through out the day every day.
Suppose he's just buying two meals a day, that still equals aprox. $140 a week not to mention drinks and snacks.
I certainly hope that this may help you to realize just how expensive it is being on the road.
I usually buy 1 good meal a day, sometime 2.
A fridge is a major asset to the driver.
You can get a 12 pak of drinks for what three would cost at a t/s.
Also, today there are so many different types of meals that can be prepared inside the truck that will save major bucks.
A hot plate, crock pot, microwave, coffee pot, etc., can go a long way in saving money!!!!
I'm usually out 2 weeks at a time and every time I come home I restock the truck.
If I wanted, I could go the 2 weeks I'm out and never buy a thing to eat in a t/s but, it is nice to get out of the truck once in a while and sit down at a table and have food brought to you.
hope this eases your mind a little any way.
"carefull...the law of averages will catch you!"
PLEASE do not "X" Christ out of Christmas
[This message was edited by guitarnut on December 15, 2002 at 12:41.]

Answer:
The fact is it just costs a small fortune to buy all the things needed when first starting out solo and new...
He probably has bought stuff needed for in and around the truck..
And get the lot lizard crap out of your mind..
They dont cost that much!
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Answer:
Does he pay any tolls? If he's in the eastern US, tolls are outrageous.
kris

Answer:
She is on all of these forms, whining! Tell your ole man, we have heard enough already!!