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TDMST Email Newsletter, 2016-01
January 08, 2016

Truck-Drivers-Money-Saving-Tips.com:

"Because truckers know that no trucker deserves to be stung financially."


We provide real world tips that help professional truck drivers save hard-earned money and personal reporting about products and services for use on the road.

We've developed our unique website as a place to share the tips we have learned through the years -- and where other professional drivers can do the same.



Truck Drivers Money Saving Tips Email Newsletter

Issue #78, January 8, 2016




Table of Contents



Important Notice


  • Truck-Drivers-Money-Saving-Tips.com Will Celebrate a Birthday!

    On January 20, 2009, we registered our domain name and the premier website dedicated to helping professional truck drivers save money was born!

    So what big thing do you think we should do when our site turns 7 years old?

    Contact us to let us know!


  • Apps Update

    Since publishing the December email newsletter, Vicki has taken major steps toward getting our trucker-specific app published on both the Android and Apple app stores.

    After they are published, we'll need your input to make our apps the best that they can possibly be to help as many professional truck drivers as possible save as much money as possible.

    Thanks in advance for your help!


  • Periscope to Help Truckers Save Money?

    According to Wikipedia, "Periscope is a live video streaming app for iOS and Android..." Now that we have new Smartphones and installed this app, we are eager to use it to connect with others.

    We think it would be both fun and educational for all of us to host scopes about saving money in trucking. What do you think?





 

Prevent This!


This month, perhaps the title of this section should be "Prevent These!" because we have two events from which to learn.



A December 27 article revealed how a truck driver ignored clearly posted signs that showed in symbols "No Trucks" and a bridge weight limit of six tons. The truck driver claimed that she didn't know how much a "ton" was and proceeded to try to take her fully loaded semi (weighing around 30 tons) across the bridge. The bridge did not support the truck's weight and it was not tall enough for the truck to get through.

Of course, the bridge collapsed. And this driver may have irreparably harmed both her CDL and her professional truck driving career.

When you see signs that you don't understand, get an explanation before you proceed.

And just so you know, if it had not been for the kindness of another trucker many years ago, Mike and I may have had a serious accident resulting from not knowing what what one posted instruction meant at a port. You may read about that on our cable ties page.



A January 6 article stated, "A truck driver was taken to the hospital with facial injuries after his e-cigarette exploded, causing him to crash on the highway."

The device malfunctioned, the article indicated, and "Electronic cigarette explosions and fires have been reported across the country as the devices have increased in popularity."

The owner of a store that sells the devices indicated that the explosion could be triggered by the battery.

Vicki has no doubt that a battery can cause overheating because she had a similar situation when a mini flashlight using one AAA rechargeable battery overheated numerous times, posing a burn hazard. Because of the amount of power consumed by the flashlight, the only cost-effective powering solution in Vicki's opinion was a rechargeable battery. So she abandoned using the overheating flashlight in favor of others that could safely use rechargeables.

That being said -- and if it is the case that the trucker's goal was to relax -- there are a couple of potential preventive measures:

  • Quit smoking; and
  • Find and use an alternative product that is safer to use for relaxation or stress relief (such as Stress Away essential oil blend).

It is not worth it to try to relax only to have a device blow up in your face and cause you to wreck.




 

Reviews



Review of Multi Grain Cereal from Valley Food Storage

Valley Food Storage sells Multi Grain Cereal, a cereal meant to be cooked and served hot. We reviewed this product.



Micro Easy Grab Review: 8-in-1 Silicone Kitchenware Disks

How did two 8- in-1 silicone kitchenware disks or pads perform in the microwave and for other uses? Read our Micro Easy Grab review.



We request your review of a product or service marketed and sold to professional truck drivers, a truck part or a truck stop fuel island, restaurant or shower.

You can even earn money doing it.




 

Questions


We ask the hard questions about how professional truck drivers can save money or are being forced to spend more money in their jobs. We asked the following since our last email newsletter:



If 'it costs $3,000-to-$5,000 to recruit and hire one driver' and some trucking companies are experiencing '100% Driver Turnover', what impact does that have on the wages of the truckers who stay?

Contributing article: http://onforb.es/1VN97jb

Comment on our Budgeting page.



Would being employed by a trucking company that has an 'Employee Stock Ownership Plan, or ESOP' make you less likely to search for another trucking job?

Contributing article: http://onforb.es/1VN97jb

Comment on our Employee Benefits page.



Isn't the exploding e-cigarette that led to a truck driver's crash just another indication that truckers who smoke should seriously consider quitting?

Contributing article: http://bit.ly/1VN84zE

Related: Quit Smoking as a Way to Save Your Money, Improve Your Health and More



Do you believe (per story #9) that trucker pay 'should be at minimum $65,000-$70,000 a year'?

Should it be more or less than that? Upon what basis should it be paid?

Please comment through our budgeting page.

Contributing article: http://bit.ly/1RSqSi0



If you as a trucker avoid 'speeding, ... improper lane use, improper passing, following too closely, using a handheld device and texting' -- and keep your truck in good working order -- how low will your chances become of getting a ticket or fine?

Please comment on our truck operations page.

Contributing article: http://bit.ly/1RSqvUC



Which of the 'three myths about eating healthy on the road' have you personally 'debunked' as a trucker? How did you do it?

Please comment on our food and recipes page or our meal preparation page.

Contributing article: http://bit.ly/1RSqCzs



Truckers, how do you track your expenses and handle your per diem? Via a mobile app?

Please share through our budgeting page or our trucker apps page.

Contributing article: http://bit.ly/1RSqhwL



Owner-operators, how have the seven consecutive weeks of falling diesel prices increased your profitability?

Please share through the form on our truck operations page or our budgeting page.

Contributing article: http://bit.ly/1RSq4cO

Related: http://bit.ly/1RSqgZx



Do you have 'Land Line’s annual compilation of state chain laws/rules gives you the scoop on the requirements in the Lower 48"?

Contributing article: http://bit.ly/1JF1nIU



Has any trucker ever been fined for idling because his/her truck had an 'auto-start to no-idle system' that started without intervention?

Contributing article: http://bit.ly/1JEZ8pg



Besides not driving and hauling heavier loads, how do you keep your truck from being blown over in high winds, trucker?

Contributing article: http://bit.ly/1JF0YGo



Perhaps truck driver training schools need to teach the obvious -- that a ton is 2,000 pounds?

Trucker who caused bridge to collapse "was cited for reckless operation of a tractor-trailer, disregarding a traffic control device and having an overweight semi on a posted bridge."

Contributing article: http://bit.ly/1Izfvsm

Related: http://bit.ly/1IzfViq



If a trucker has a clear opportunity to 'move over', why would he/she risk not doing so? Why risk side-swiping any vehicle?

Contributing article: http://bit.ly/22lmRpR



Truckers, what are you willing to risk to carry a gun in your truck?

Quote from article: "Contrary to what many drivers believe, there is no federal law that prohibits truck drivers from carrying guns in their trucks as long as they adhere to local and state laws. However, many carriers prohibit company drivers from carrying weapons."

Contributing article: http://bit.ly/22liWJO



Is a truck driving job based out of the Chicago area worth $65,000 per year?

Contributing article: http://bit.ly/22lkTG1



Would a 'Natural Gas Tax Credit' make you more likely to buy a natural gas-powered truck, trucker?

Why or why not?

Contributing article: http://bit.ly/22libAp



Truckers, do you agree that the 'the electronic logging device mandate' will be 'the most outrageous intrusion into the rights of professional truckers imaginable and will do nothing at all to improve highway safety'?

Contributing article: http://bit.ly/22lm0FG



Does news of land-based delivery drones make you nervous, trucker?

Why or why not?

Contributing article: http://bit.ly/22lhQ0q



Truckers don't have access to a kitchen? With the right equipment, they can make a small kitchen in their trucks!

Contributing article: http://bit.ly/1U0nCPd

Related: Make a Small Kitchen and Small Sink in a Truck Without Plumbing http://bit.ly/1U0nKOw



Will the day come when instead of a 'Parts Interchange Tool', there is a 'parts creation tool' by which truckers could 3-D print their own truck parts for less?

What would be the pros and cons of this?

Contributing article: http://bit.ly/1Qjx5TT



Which of these '5 ways to strike gold in trucking' do you use, trucker? Which gives the best ROI?

Contributing article: http://bit.ly/1QjwVf8



How much will 'rear impact protection for trailers [and] semi-trailers' cost truckers?

Contributing article: http://bit.ly/1QjuNUL



If the cost of diesel in the U.S. had fallen last week to its 'lowest point in six years' -- and it is lower yet this week -- how low do you think it will go?

Contributing article: http://bit.ly/1QjuxFo

Contributing article: http://bit.ly/1QjuE3M






 

Articles and Other Media


cash advances

husband owns own truck. I'm doing the year end spread sheet. He got 600.00 dollars for January 2015 cash advanse taken out of his chech. Do I put this



Updated: Whose Fault Is It Really? On Personal Responsibility and Blame

Some professional drivers have a habit of casting blame on other people or things when they're really at fault. Isn't it time for you to take personal responsibility for your actions?



Updated: Portable Toilet 2: Reasons to Consider Having One in Your Truck

In Portable Toilet 2, we cover reasons why professional truck drivers should consider having one in their trucks.



Updated: A Review of TracFone Pre Paid Cell Phone Service for Truckers

We review TracFone from the perspective of a professional truck driver and home support team having used the service, covering both the pros and cons.



Updated: How old is too old to be a truck driver?

I am 67, in good shape and just retired from 35 years of lawyering. I want to do something else. I can get my cdl permit on my own. What should do next



Updated: Sealed battery

My husband just started driving an 18 wheeler. He drives for Schneider so he doesn't own the truck. We need to know best way for him to get power for frig,



Updated: RoadPro 12 Volt DC Inverter Review; 175 Watts, Plug-in

How does a RoadPro(R) 12 volt DC inverter delivering up to 175 watts work in a big truck? Here's how this cigarette lighter style device worked for us....



Updated: Truck Driving Schools and Truck Driver Training: A Guide

A guide on truck driving schools and truck driver training for those interested in becoming and excelling at being a professional truck driver. Truck driving training is a continual process.



Updated: Med Exam Pass? On FMCSA Validation of Driver Medical Cards

The FMCSA's announcement about conducting random validation of driver medical cards prompted this warning about costs and a potential Med Exam Pass.




 

Earn More, Save More


When Vicki read the article on Forbes.com about how it costs $3,000 to $5,000 to recruit just one driver -- and that some trucking companies are experiencing 100% driver turnover -- she couldn't help but think that that is money straight out of the pockets of the truckers who stay with the company.

Just as an example, let's run a few numbers... If a trucking company has 100 trucks that it needs to fill and spends $5,000 to fill each of those seats every year, that is $500,000 in recruiting costs. And that is $5,000 per year that each trucker could have gotten had he stayed and not needed to be replaced.

In other words, driver turnover may be hurting the wages of all truckers in a company that has high turnover.

We've been through our share of trucking companies for various reasons. And because of mounting regulations, a desire to be home with their families and many other reasons, some truckers would gladly switch to something else if they could make good money at it.

There is a better way to earn money. Vicki Simons is on the verge or releasing an in-depth info pack about how truckers can earn a second income from the cabs of their trucks.

Be watching for it soon!




 

Social Networking


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Many people like to set new goals at the start of a new year, like quitting smoking, getting more exercise and losing weight, earning more money and doing a better job at budgeting.

We wish you a very prosperous 2016 and encourage you to share your money saving tips on our site to help your fellow truckers.

To all of our readers who are professional truck drivers, we wish you safe travels and lots of money saving opportunities on the road!

Best regards,
Mike and Vicki Simons, Owners
NKBJ InfoNet, LLC

Truck-Drivers-Money-Saving-Tips.com

Copyright © 2016. All Rights Reserved.
All information on this site and in this email newsletter is intended for informational and educational purposes.
It neither substitutes for professional advice nor negates user responsibility to do due diligence.




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