May 01, 2024

Podcasts Feed the Need for Learning, Laughter and Inspiration on the Road

Truck drivers can spend as much as 11 hours a day or 3,120 hours a year driving—and listening. It’s important to steer the media feed that can essentially be your entire world while you’re behind the wheel.

Two truisms couldn’t be truer when it comes to audio feeds: you are what you consume and you are the company you keep.

Today’s audio options for truckers abound. All the media makes sure of that. There’s satellite radio, audiobooks, streaming music and even CB.

While most drivers stream music (62%) and significantly less listen to audiobooks (14%),podcasts (42%) represent a sweet spot for drivers for their bite-sized length, on-demand availability and abundant options. The variety of trucker-podcasts make it possible to feed every facet of a driver’s life from world events and industry regulations to the business of trucking and road humor that can lighten the load.

See what we mean with these feed-enhancing podcasts selected to bring a smile to every facet of the driving life. Use it to help you achieve a recommended daily allowance of ideas and entertainment, keep things interesting, and maybe even shake things up.

Start with Dessert: Chill Out With a Funny Feed

The 18 Wheel Talk Podcast Show features Janet and Patrick. The duo is sharp witted, well-informed and prone to pulling interesting stories from the far reaches of the road. The show is billed as “For Truckers, about Truckers, by Truckers” and the insights and experiences they banter on live up to it. (Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts or iHeartRADIO)

Ahead of the Curve: Talk Like a Techie by Listening to Them

The Trucking Technology & Efficiency podcast is hosted by Kevin Rutherford, Joel Morrow, and John Walco. Their content gets its street cred straight from the road. Truckers call in to geek out about the exciting new tech as well as the everyday tools of the trucking trade. These guys make it easy to stay plugged in. (Find it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Soundcloud)

Truckers’ Guilty Pleasure: The Perfect True Crime Binge

In the Trucking True Crime Podcast, hosts Angela Baum and her husband Larry host have created a mashup of two things drivers love: trucking and true crime stories. A survey by now defunct Matheson Inc. found true crime stories to be the most popular podcast genre among truckers. True crime roadies will love this one. (Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, FeedSpot or Podbean)

Money Talks: Listen to Best Practices for Owner-Operators

For a peek into best practices of starting a trucking company, The Haulin’ Assets podcast throws the doors—and books—wide open. The podcast follows the progress of Chris Vernon and his one-man trucking company through all the highs and lows. Transparency into Chris’s financials, practical tips for finding loads and a breakdown of Chris’s cost per mile are just a few topics that make this podcast money. (Listen on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher or Google Podcasts)

You Time: Drive Healthier Habits on the Road

Host Captain Jack, a former truck driver on a mission, runs the Shift into Better Health podcast series. Topics are trucker-specific and toggle among nutrition and exercise on the road to stress strategies, and mood adjustments just for drivers. Captain Jack brings the trucker’s perspective, and the medical professionals he invites on the show bring the health insights and expertise.

World News: When Your World Is Trucking

There’s so much going on in the trucking that it is a world unto itself. Every trucker’s feed should include industry news that delivers the big picture. The TalkCDL Trucking Podcast goes deep and wide into the trends, legislation, economic indicators and current issues that matter to truckers. The show’s hosts keep it moving through their clever banter and range of hot topics. (Listen on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or Stitcher)

Comfort Feed: A Podcast with Everything on Top

Host Bruce Outridge is like a friend on the other end of a CB or Formica table who you can talk to about anything and everything. His podcast, The Lead Pedal Podcast for Truck Drivers is like a menu at a Greek diner. You’ll find over 1000 satisfying episodes on everything from goal-setting and tax strategies to the different owner-operator business models and tips for truck drivers with families. (Listen on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, iHeartRADIO or Soundcloud)

Truck drivers, like everyone else, need to be conscious of their podcast feed. Expanding or changing that feed can instigate a host of positive—or negative—shifts in mood, productivity, creativity, positivity, health and understanding.

With over 2,999,008 podcasts in the world according to Wikipedia, truck drivers are lucky to have so many options. They also have hours of opportunity to listen, learn and expand their worlds that people outside of trucking can only envy.

May 08, 2024

The Dangers of Ignoring Tax Filing Obligations for Truckers For self-employed truckers, many things are top of mind for them, such as being away from home, staying healthy on the road, and keeping up with the demanding aspects of the job. With all this, it’s easy for these truck drivers to overlook the less glamorous aspect of tax filing. However, especially for independent truckers, neglecting your tax obligations can lead to many financial and legal troubles that could derail your successful careers on the road. Let’s look at some of the potential consequences of failing to file tax returns on time or at all for truck drivers, as well as how you can rectify your tax mistakes and become compliant. Consequences of Not Paying Taxes Failure to file tax returns on time, or worse, not filing at all, can have severe repercussions for truck drivers. The IRS imposes some serious penalties and interest charges for late or non-filing of tax returns. These penalties can quickly accumulate, compounding the financial burden on these truckers who are already grappling with the unique demands of the industry. One of the immediate consequences of non-compliance is the accumulation of penalties and interest. The IRS charges a late filing penalty, which <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/failure-to-file-penalty" target="_blank">amounts to 5%</a> of the unpaid taxes of each month that a tax return is late. For truck drivers, who often operate on thin profit margins, these additional financial burdens can be crippling to their or their family’s livelihoods. On another note, failing to file your taxes also means that truckers miss out on potential refunds. Truckers can get tax deductions for their businesses, including truck payments, fuel, accounting fees, maintenance fees, insurance, and other business expenses. By not filing your taxes, you could be losing money! Furthermore, failure to file tax returns for a long time, such as three years, can lead to more serious consequences. This could be wage or bank account levies, federal tax liens, property liens, potential tax evasion charges, passport revocation, or even seizure of tax refunds. Aside from the financial consequences, non-compliance with tax filing obligations can damage a truck driver's reputation and business relationships. Clients, other truckers, and business partners may view non-compliance with tax laws as a sign of irresponsibility or untrustworthiness, potentially leading to loss of contracts or employment opportunities. What To Do To Be Compliant? So, what should truck drivers do if they find themselves in a situation where they haven't filed taxes in the past or are struggling to meet their tax obligations? The first step is to start proactive measures to address it. It can be difficult for truck drivers to dive headfirst into possible years of tax forms and receipts; this is where seeking the help of a professional can be beneficial. A qualified tax professional or accountant who understands the trucking industry will also understand the unique challenges faced by truck drivers. They can provide guidance on how to gather necessary documentation, handle the various tax laws, and help truckers develop a strategy to become compliant with filing requirements. It is also important for truck drivers to, going forward, be proactive in addressing their tax filing obligations and to prioritize compliance in future tax payments. This can look like having better record-keeping practices to track income and expenses throughout the year, setting aside funds for tax payments, and staying informed about changes to tax laws. Get Help With Your Taxes At the end of the day, ignoring tax filing obligations can have serious consequences for truck drivers, both financially and legally. However, it’s not too late for truckers to start getting compliance and filing their taxes today. Trucker Path has partnered with ATBS to give Trucker Path users special discounts on tax and accounting services from professionals who specialize in helping truck drivers. Looking to get your taxes done right? Reach out to <a href="https://www.atbs.com/trucker-path" target="_blank">get help from ATBS today!</a>

Mar 13, 2024

Financial and Business Structure Tips for Truck Drivers Truck drivers are used to hauling heavy loads for their clients. However, many professional drivers are also hauling heavy financial loads of their own just to stay operating. Like all professionals, truck drivers need to plan for the future. This is done through a careful strategy of setting up their business structure appropriately and saving money to reduce costs while also finding ways to boost income potential today. Here's a look at some business and financial planning tips for truck drivers. 1. Use Budgeting Tools Sloppy receipts cost truck drivers money. Truck drivers need to have systems for internal bookkeeping and external billing. By using budgeting tools that allow you to scan or upload receipts, you'll be ready to bill properly during each billing cycle. Charting your expenses accurately is vital to being properly compensated. That includes per-diem expenses that cover food, toiletries, and digital usage. What's more, organized records make it easier to claim deductions at tax time that can reduce your annual tax liability. 2. Cut Costs Where You Can Dollars add up quickly on the road because there's no "stopping home" for a quick bite or some essentials. That's why truck drivers need to watch their spending much more closely than people in other professions. Set a budget for food and entertainment while on the road to be able to anticipate costs instead of being surprised by large bills at the end of the month. Consider using meal-planning apps that give you ideas for how to prepare simple meals in your truck. Even just pivoting to having cereal in your truck instead of getting breakfast at a restaurant or truck stop can save thousands of dollars per year that could serve you much better when reinvested back into your business instead! 3. Start an LLC If you're an independent truck driver, establishing an LLC is a great way to protect your personal financial interests. LLCs give individuals the same legal and financial protections provided to traditional business structures. That means that you can protect your home, car, bank accounts, and other personal assets from being affected by what happens in your professional life. Any lawsuits filed against you in your trucking career will be limited solely to business-related assets. 4. Consider Purchasing a Franchise Consistency is one of the keys to making money as a truck driver. That's exactly why <a href="https://www.franchisedirect.com/ultimate-guide-to-franchising/">franchising</a> can be such an appealing option for truck drivers who want greater financial security. With franchising, you're purchasing the rights to operate under a well-known brand name in trucking. That means that people who depend on truck drivers will already know and trust your business from the first day it opens. Franchisees receive support for setting up their franchises, handling marketing, training drivers, and managing the financial aspects of running a trucking branch. In many cases, trucking franchise companies also provide franchisees with systems for getting free or discounted uniforms, equipment, benefits, and more. The way to begin the process of purchasing a franchise is to research trucking franchise opportunities. It's important to compare different opportunities because initial investment costs for franchisees can range from $15,000 to $200,000. Potential franchisees also need to do their homework on franchise royalty fees to get an idea of how much they will be paying to the parent company each year. Franchisees who find the right fit can look forward to plugging into a model that's been built for success while also being their own boss! Final Thoughts Business and financial planning gives truck drivers peace of mind over the fact that every mile they're covering is truly worth it. By considering different business structure and growth options, budgeting plans and savings tips, truckers can create or modify a real business that makes real money and sets them up for real success.

Mar 27, 2024