Question:
I've been reading a lot but most info doesn't say what you will actually need to get you from home to your first paycheck. Not counting tuition and motel for class, whay $ would you need to get by til first check?

Answer:
Hard to call. Depends on the length of the school. First paycheck from a company doesn't usually show until at least two weeks into the OTR training session. BOL

Answer:
A good rule of thumb is to plan on at least $10.00/per meal.
It would be great if the school you attend would provide a meal or two.(but most do not.)
If the room you stay in at school has a fridge, you can save money by spending a few bucks a wk at the grocery store instead of eating out for every meal.
Even if the room does not have a fridge in it, you could buy your own , which usaully comes with an adaptor so that it can be plugged into a wall outlet....and is also a good thing to have anyway when you get assigned your own trk.(hopefully, your otr trainer will have one in his/her trk.)
Since I'm not sure what kind of lodging(hotel room, apartment, barracks, etc) you'll be staying in while in school, I'm going to assume that it's a hotel room.
You may also want to take a hot plate, pot, pan, electric skillet, paper plates, plasticware, etc.(due to fire codes, some hotels do not allow cooking in rooms.)
If you are a smoker, you'll want to buy smokes by-the-carton from your hometown or smokeshop or reservation while on the road.(I-40/exit 108, in Casa Blanca, New Mexico, is one that I know off hand that has smokes at a reasonable price.)
The TA trkstp will now allow you to use your to buy smokes.
You will also want to particapate in all of the "Reward Programs" that the various trkstps offer.
http://www.tatravelcenters.com/RoadKingClub/
http://www.pilottravelcenters.com/Programs_And_...back_Program.aspx
http://www.loves.com/rewards.asp
http://www.petrotruckstops.com/driver_rewards.sstg
http://www.sappbrostruckstops.com/
http://www.flyingj.com/programs/frequent.cfm
I think there are a few other "Frequent Fueler" programs for the smaller fuel stops that I've forgotten.(GSN, PNP, etc)
Anyway, you get the idea.