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Truck driving does not leave one with a lot of time or convenience to do many tasks. Exercise, leisure, and cooking come to mind. There are many resources on exercising and eating healthy in past ATBS articles, but what about cooking food for truckers? Not just cooking mediocre meals, but cooking great quality food? There is an option that isn’t commonly known, and it’s called sous-vide cooking. At the heart of sous-vide cooking is vacuum-sealed food cooked in heated, non-boiling water. What are the benefits of this cooking style? Meat, fish, and vegetables, along with some desserts, will cook to exact doneness, and not overcook, even if the food is left to cook longer than the minimum required time. Another advantage of this style of cooking is portability and ease. All sous-vide cooking requires is an outlet and water. Most ‘water ovens’ and sous-vide setups are compact and easily placed in any area, including the cab of your truck. Cook meals at home or on the road, freeze them for later, and heat up whenever you need a satisfying, healthy meal. Here are a few sous-vide cooking options to get you started: Water Oven Everything is built-in and all you need is some water and an outlet. Recommended Product: SousVide Supreme Demi Circulator This option requires a container to hold water - a tall pot, tub or a cooler works well. Recommended Product: Anova Precision Cooker Vacuum Sealer A vacuum sealer is best, but similar results come from simply using a ziplock bag. Place the food-filled ziplock bag in water just below the seal to remove the air, then zip shut. Recommended Product: FoodSaver V2244 Vacuum Sealing System If you decide sous-vide cooking is right for you, remember that the purchase of cooking products is tax deductible. Drive safely, and eat well! Author: NW Dexter

Did you know some of the most successful owner-operators drive as a team? In fact, last year some ATBS team driving clients made over $100,000 in net profit. ATBS helps more than 400 team driving clients navigate the tax implications team drivers face. Here are the top 6 considerations if you are thinking about team driving with your spouse or partner: 1. Qualified Joint Venture or Partnership If you are married, you don’t have to form a Partnership. A Qualified Joint Venture is for married couples that both participate in their business venture. Forming a Qualified Joint Venture saves the cost of having to file a Partnership tax return. There is less paperwork involved with a Qualified Joint Venture. You simply file a joint 1040 tax return with each taxpayer having their own Schedule C allowing them to both pay into Social Security. The best thing about team driving as husband and wife can also be the worst. Sometimes there's a little too much "closeness". It can be a challenge to find your own space, both physical and mental. - Robyn Taylor, Owner-Operator 2. Married Couple LLCs If a married couple lives in a community property state, an LLC may be treated as a Qualified Joint Venture, however, if a married couple lives in a non-community property state, an LLC is treated as a partnership for Federal tax purposes. The partnership is then required to file Form 1065. Click here for a list of community property states. 3. Split of Schedule C Income for Qualified Joint Ventures When filing a Schedule C, married Qualified Joint Ventures can split their income evenly so both people pay their portion of Social Security. If Form 1099 is filled out in one spouse’s driver’s Social Security number, your tax professional will “nominee” half of the income to the other spouse’s Social Security number so they also have income paid into Social Security. In some cases, one spouse may need to pay more or less into Social Security so it may be beneficial to split your income with a higher or lower percentage. ATBS tax professionals can further explain these Social Security benefits. 4. Non-Married Team Drivers If you are a non-married team, you are automatically a Partnership, therefore no 1099 is needed. To avoid partnership treatment, one owner-operator would need to own the business and issue the other team owner-operator a W-2. In this case, we would recommend you contact the ATBS Premium Department for assistance with Payroll Services. Aside from these legal and tax implications, it’s important to take the personal aspects into consideration as well: 5. Pros of Team Driving: May decrease tax liability as you can both take per diem and write-offs increase You and your spouse can spend more time together. You’ll be able to run more miles and make more money. You can save on utilities and other home expenses when no one is home. Driving with a teammate helps prevent physical and mental stress that single drivers may endure, such as depression, sleep apnea, diabetes, and obesity. 6. Cons of Team Driving: Time spent together may end up being one person sleeping with one person driving. The passenger may turn into a “backseat” driver, increasing conflict and tension in stressful situations. Spending too much time together may end up putting strain on the relationship. You will have very little alone time. At ATBS, over 400 of our clients are married team drivers. If you’re considering this option, please give us a call at 866-920-2827 and let us help set your business up for success and ensure your taxes are filed properly.

Did you know that the first 18 months of starting a new business is crucial to success? A recent study reveals that 8 out of 10 of those businesses will fail to make it past the 18-month mark. As a new owner-operator, it’s important to do everything possible early on to keep your business strong for those starting months and well into the future. Here are 10 traits that successful owner-operators possess that keep their businesses going strong: 1. They stay focused. Successful business owners do not let distractions get in the way. Set goals for yourself, and make a plan on how to get there. Be decisive with your decisions and don’t procrastinate. Distractions are all around us, being able to work through those while staying focused it crucial. 2. They are positive. Keeping a positive outlook on your day-to-day tasks does wonders for your attitude and gets you in the right mindset to get things done. Have a sense of humor when things don’t go exactly as planned. Don’t beat yourself up over the little things, it won’t assist with moving forward. Remembering to see the positive side will help you work towards preventing issues in the future. 3. They make commitments. A good business owner will make a commitment to themselves, and their customers. You have to be willing to devote time to your business, and do what it takes to get the job done. Your customers are why you are in business, so prove you’re trustworthy by always working hard and following through on your word. 4. They self manage. The freedom you gained by becoming an owner-operator also gave you the opportunity to start managing yourself. To be successful you must have the ability to be disciplined before you can manage anyone else. Be a strong leader that others will want to follow. Successful business owners take challenges in stride, adapt well to change, and are self-motivated toward the overall goal. Stay driven, motivated and determined to succeed. You are now the one paying yourself from your hard work, so managing finances and setting money aside for taxes is a must. Be realistic with your money, budget for slow times and be aware of your costs so that you can be prepared for the future. 5. They use an accountant. Even the best business owners know when to hand a job over to someone else. You’re a professional driver, not a professional accountant. Finding accountant with expertise in your industry is important as well, as they can help you find tax deductions specific to trucking that other companies don’t know about. Doing finances on your own, or waiting to do your taxes at the end of the year (such as through an online tax company) is not the smartest way to approach your accounting needs once you are an owner-operator. Knowing all of the deductions you are entitled for can save you hundreds, even thousands of dollars every year. Remember you are not having taxes taken out of your paycheck anymore, and ATBS specializes in trucker accounting. Even though you are now your own boss, there is still help out there to make your life a little less stressful. 6. They are confident. If you are becoming an owner-operator just to be your own boss, chances are you will not make it very far. It’s important to remember that it’s not always going to be a walk in the park. Owner-operators need to have the ability to act and think independently, and be confident about their decisions. Having the right type of confidence (humble and strong, not cocky or egotistical) can be very powerful in creating respect and instilling trust. 7. They are willing to keep learning. Great business owners are constantly curious and always asking questions. They seek out the most up-to-date information about their industry, and stay abreast of new regulations and changes. They subscribe to magazines, read blog articles, and may even enroll for continuing education such as CABS. Be proactive in your line of work, and continually observe others who are successful at what they do to learn as much as you can from them. 8. They are organized Owner-operators that run their business well plan ahead and work towards managing their time efficiently. Keeping a schedule will ensure your important tasks are being accomplished. It is extremely important to be well organized when it comes to your budget. Keeping detailed records that are well organized will be easily accessible when needed. 9. They are honest Strive to be straightforward and fair with your customers. Do not participate in shady deals or be misleading by hiding the facts – doing so will only hurt the credibility of you and your business. When you’re an honest businessperson, good reviews spread fast. Start with that kind of good reputation and it will gain the respect of others and prove your business as reliable. It will make people feel safe and want to do business with you. 10. They have Good Communication The most successful owner-operators communicate efficiently. They work smarter not harder by keeping clients and dispatchers in the loop, and by making sure there is understanding. When being on time is not possible, always be sure to communicate the situation without a thousand excuses. Making sure you’re on the same page with everyone will create trust and strength in all your work relationships. If you want to succeed you must have the will to succeed. Stay focused on your goal and continue to stay motivated to achieve it. Your determination, leadership, and hard work will lead you to success! Sources: http://sbinformation.about.com/od/startingabusiness/tp/Character-Traits-Of-Successful-Small-Business-Owners.htm http://www.smallbizpros.com/blog/personality-traits-small-business-owners-need-to-be-successful http://smallbusiness.foxbusiness.com/entrepreneurs/2014/07/14/5-characteristics-successful-entrepreneurs/ http://www.forbes.com/sites/tanyaprive/2012/12/19/top-10-qualities-that-make-a-great-leader/ http://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/money/business/2014/07/05/successful-entrepreneurs/12189415/

Originally published by TrueNorth Companies. Truck rollovers happen every day in the trucking industry, but they don't have to. Read on to learn about three major rollover myths, the three main causes of rollovers and what you can do to prevent them from happening to you. Three Common Rollover Myths Myth 1: Poor driving conditions lead to most rollovers Facts: Less than 4 percent of single vehicle rollovers are actually caused by roadway and environmental factors. Over half (56 percent) happen on straight roads - not on curves or ramps. Approximately two-thirds of rollovers occur in daylight rather than in the dark. Ninety-three percent of rollovers occur on dry roads. Myth 2: The vast majority of rollovers are caused by reckless maneuvers and excessive speeding. Facts: Speeding certainly increases the risk of rollover accidents, but excessive speed is a contributing factor in less than half of all rollovers. That means that more than 50 percent of rollovers are due to other factors. Drivers often assume their rollover risk is negligible as long as they avoid excessive speeds. That is simply not the case. Avoiding excessive speeds is an important first step in rollover prevention, but there are a host of other factors, including driver fatigue and inattention that can also cause accidents. Evasive maneuvers are a factor in only a small percentage (5 to 10 percent) of rollovers. Myth 3: Rollovers only happen to inexperienced drivers. Facts: Approximately 66 percent of rollovers involve drivers with more than 10 years of driving experience. Most rollovers occur among drivers between the ages of 25 and 55. The Three Main Causes of Rollovers So, if most rollovers aren't caused by external conditions, speed or inexperience, what does cause them? Driver error is responsible for over three-quarters of all rollovers. Rollovers can happen to anyone at any time, so drivers can never be too comfortable behind the wheel. Over 90 percent of the time, the rollover is not the "first" event - in other words, some other dangerous event occurs before the rollover. It maight be drowsiness or inattention, which together contribute to about 20 percent of rollovers, with running off the road due to inattention being the leading cause of serious crashes. The event might be a driver drifting over into a soft shoulder, riding up over a curb or incorrectly making a turn at an intersection. Attentive driving can prevent most rollovers. Vehicle condition plays a role in some rollovers. In a recent Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration study, 54 percent of the vehicles involved in a rollover accident had a brake defect of some sort. Load size is also a factor in some rollovers. More than 90 percent of cargo tank rollovers occur while carrying partial loads, so if you are hauling liquids, it's important to understand the "slosh and surge" effect of liquid loads. "Slosh" refers to liquid running up the sides of a tanker, which changes the tanker's center of gravity, and "surge" refers to liquid shifting from front to back and then back to front when accelerating or braking. How You Can Prevent Rollovers Since a large majority of rollovers are caused by driver error, most crashes are preventable. Here are several ways you can prevent a rollover and get to your destination safely: Slow it down. Obey the speed limits and take it slow around corners. Stay alert. Falling asleep at the wheel or driving while fatigued is unacceptable. Turning up the radio or rolling down your windows are not effective ways to keep you alert. Hours-of-Service regulations are in place to prevent fatigue-related accidents. Put down the cellphone. Not only is it extremely dangerous to text while driving, it is also illegal for truckers to do so. Ensure your truck is mechanically sound before your trip. You don't want to be involved in a rollover or other accident because your brakes weren't properly checked before a trip. Understand the design and performance of the type of truck you will be driving. For example, tankers handle differently than reefers or flatbeds. Always make sure loads are tied down properly. Shifting loads can easily lead to a rollover. Ultimately, many of the factors that can cause a rollover crash are entirely under the driver's control. Always remember - deadlines are important, but safety is your number one priority.

Almost every owner-operator began their career as a company driver and learn early to get a cash advance against their future paycheck. That’s not always a good idea for company drivers because cash in the pocket is not the same thing as money in a bank account, or money going home. When a company driver gets a cash advance, the amount of that advance flows through to their weekly paycheck where all deductions are taken from the gross earnings. A couple of typical deductions are for the advance and also for income taxes. Gross income minus all deductions is the take-home pay. The next time you’re at the truck stop or discount store, make a mental note of all the things that are set up to tempt impulse buying. The marketing teams for these places are really good at their job – with big ticket items on the way in and little ticket items on the way out. A driver can be pinched by a little paycheck when a cash advance can end-up in someone else’s pocket. Like a company driver, advances are deducted from the owner-operator’s settlement but unlike the company driver taxes are not deducted from the settlement. Self-employed Owner-operators are responsible for managing their own taxes. That’s where the trouble with cash advances and quarterly taxes can begin because any difference between the total cash advance and the total of all business receipts is called ‘income’ by the IRS. And if there is income you know what the IRS wants – they call it income tax and they want part of your income. It looks like this: Let’s say that a $400 cash advance was taken but you only have $200 in business receipts. The remaining $200 is called income and the IRS requires that it be paid at 20 - 25% of that income or $40 - $50. You have to repay the full $400 advance right away anyway, but now there is a hidden debt to the IRS. If that is done 40 times in a year that’s an invisible debt to the IRS of up to $2,000. Income taxes are due April 15th, which can make this story even worse. $400.00 Cash Advance - $200.00 Business Receipts = $200.00 Income* *subject to 20% income tax or $40.00 April 15th is the worst possible time of the year for a trucker to come up with cash. In the winter months prior to April 15th, operating costs increase and revenue decreases. Spendable income is less and it can be hard to make ends meet in January, February, and March. April comes along with a glimmer of daylight, but by April 15th, the invisible debt to the IRS is no longer invisible. Advances not offset by business receipts will be taxed as income. In this situation, the year-end tax bill makes it rough on owner-operator who haven’t planned ahead. Two things to do to get ahead of this: Take cash advances for business reasons only. Make sure to have business receipts to offset the full amount of the cash advance. If cash advances are needed for personal items, its best to make that temporary. Stop that situation and don’t get back into it. Remember meals and incidentals are not business receipts, and the daily per diem deduction is a good deal for drivers. Don’t throw away this good deal by taking advances for food. Don’t forget, the hidden tax on that advance will be due at a bad time. Pay Quarterly Tax Estimates on time. With enough time anyone can eat an elephant just one bite at a time. It’s the same with taxes. Pay quarterly taxes on time or risk trouble. April 15th is the worst time to try to find the money to pay your full tax bill. Contact ATBS for any questions about cash advances and quarterly tax estimates. Safe travels and thank you for all you do!

Placing your money with a bank or a credit union can be an important decision for your family. Each option comes with pros and cons, but we are here to help you navigate this decision and identify the best option that works for your needs. After the recent recession and housing collapse in America, banks don’t have the reputation that they once did. More and more people are getting fed up with their yearly multi-million dollar profits and fees that cost you money in the end. However, banks do have a few advantages like having open membership and often nationwide or regional locations, which is a benefit for truck drivers who travel the country for weeks on end. According to the Credit Union National Association, over 100 million Americans use approximately 7,000 credit unions across America today. So what makes a credit union different than a bank? Credit unions are not-for-profit therefore their CEOs aren’t making millions of dollars a year in bonuses. Since credit unions are nonprofits, they can offer you higher interest rates on savings accounts and lower rates on loan products meaning you get more for your money. Banks are owned by their stockholders. Credit unions, however, are a cooperative, which means it is owned and operated by its members. You have a say in your credit union’s decisions. Since a credit union is membership-based, you will have to meet certain requirements. Membership varies, but it could range from your employer to where you live. So, what do you choose – credit union or bank? The Pros and Cons of Credit Unions PRO: Credit unions generally offer higher interest rates so you’ll get a better bang for your buck. Credit unions rates typically range from 4 to 10 times higher than what you would get at a commercial bank. However, online banks tend to still be the highest in the industry. PRO: Unfortunately, there is no such thing as a free loan. However, credit unions have some of the lowest APRs on mortgages, personal loans, and even credit cards. There is no reason you should pay more than you should. PRO: In a world where the banking industry will nickel and dime you for everything, credit unions have far fewer fees compared to national banks. Most credit unions offer checks, withdrawals, and electronic transactions for free. Additionally, many offer free checking accounts without a monthly minimum or service charge. That alone can save you hundreds of dollars a year, meaning more money in your pocket. Unfortunately, not every fee is excused in credit unions. Most will still charge for things like bounced checks and overdraft fees. CON: Credit unions offer fewer options than large commercial banks. For example, Bank of America offers 5 different types of checking and savings accounts, but most credit unions will only have one or two options. CON: Credit unions have far less physical locations than commercial banks. If you’re on the road a lot, like most truck drivers, you won’t find your local credit union across the country. If you live far from the credit union branch then you might have to mail in your checks. The Pros and Cons of Commercial Banks PRO: Large commercial banks are very accessible across a region or the country. They have multiple branches and ATMs on every corner. Banks also have more money to invest in mobile and online tools and technology that make your experience and accessibility on the road easier. PRO: Bank accounts are open to everyone. There are no membership requirements to be met to open an account. CON: Banks have higher fees on everything from overdrafts to monthly maintenance fees. According to a recent Moneyrates.com survey, the average monthly maintenance is about $12 or about $150 a year! CON: Some commercial banks have a reputation of bad customer service. Since 2012, banks have gotten better, however on the American Customer Satisfaction Index, banks still rank lower than credit unions. The Final Verdict Choosing which type of banking institute you would like to do business with is a personal decision. There are pros and cons to each institute. If you want to save more money and have a better customer service experience then credit unions are the way to go. However, there are membership requirements and credit unions often only have a few physical locations. If accessibility and having the best mobile technology is what you need, choosing a bank is probably your best move. Each bank is different. You have large national banks like Bank of America and small regional banks. Regional banks often run more similar to credit unions. Whether you choose a credit union or bank, remember to make sure you are putting your money to work for you. Image Source - https://www.flickr.com/photos/i5design/ This article was originally featured on TeamRunSmart.com.

Every month you get the statement in the mail and hesitate. Can I pay more this month? Or should I only pay the minimum balance? Too often we just opt to pay the minimum balance and promise ourselves we’ll make a bigger payment next month. But let’s say you have $15,000 in credit card debt. If you make only the minimum payment each month, you could end up paying an additional $11,000 in total interest. Not to mention, it will take you years to pay it off. So what do you do? Add It All Up Collect all of your credit card statements for the month, and make a list. Include the following information in your list for each card: The name/type of card The current balance The interest rate The minimum payment The monthly due date Find out how much total debt you have, and what your total monthly minimum payments are. Also note which credit card has the highest interest rate, and which has the highest balance. Ask Creditors For A Lower Rate If you make your payments on time and you have a good credit score (730 or higher), it doesn’t hurt to give your creditor a call and ask for a lower interest rate. If you get one or two percentage points lower, it can end up saving you hundreds of dollars annually. Transfer Your Balance Consider transferring your balances to a lower-rate credit card. While transferring a balance to a different card can be a smart move, it’s important to take a few factors into consideration first. Only transfer the balance if you’re committed to paying off the debt within the introductory low-rate window, which typically expires 12-18 months after the first billing cycle. Often times the introductory rate is low, but the rate can skyrocket later. Avoid making any new purchases on your new card as sometimes the low-interest rate won’t apply to them. Keep in mind that you may also be charged a balance transfer fee which is usually 3-4 percent of the total amount transferred. Create A Budget Your ATBS Business Consultant can assist you in creating a Profit Plan to show you how much money you can expect to keep each month after your expenses are paid. Once your Profit Plan is complete, find out what the maximum amount of money is that you can pay towards credit card debt. Is it more than your total minimum monthly payments? If so, great! This means you can pay extra to your credit cards each month. Stash Your Cards Start getting used to paying cash for all of your expenses moving forward, and stash your credit cards in a drawer at home. Don’t cancel the cards, just keep them in a place that isn’t easy to access. An ATBS Business Consultant can help you start saving for future expenses rather than charging them to your credit cards. When you get into the habit of paying cash for all of your expenses, you’ll become more mindful of how much you’re spending. Pay Off One Card At A Time Once you’re ready to tackle your debt, choose the card with the highest interest rate, and pay this one off first. Keep paying the minimum payment on your other cards, and apply all extra money to this one high rate card. Once that card is paid off, move to the next highest interest rate. If you have cards with the same interest rate, choose the card with the highest balance first. A structured, disciplined approach to reducing debt can help you pay off your credit cards whether your balance is $3,000 or $30,000. Working on your Profit Plan and reviewing your P&L Statements with your ATBS Business Consultant will keep you on track, and before you know it, you’ll be on the road to a debt-free life.

With temperatures in the triple digits in some parts of the country, heat-related illnesses such as dehydration are more of a risk. What you may not know, however, is that being dehydrated while driving can be as dangerous as being drunk, according to a study published in the scientific journal Physiology and Behavior, featured in the Wall Street Journal. Researchers at Loughborough University in England conducted simulated driving tests with participants that were both hydrated and dehydrated. The tests included two hours of driving on a simulator with various obstacles including bends, rumble strips, and slow-moving vehicles that needed to be passed. On the first day participants were given a full cup of water to drink per hour. Researchers counted 47 driving incidents on this day. On the next day of the study, participants were only given a few sips of water each hour and the number of driving incidents, including lane drifting and late braking, increased to 101. Why did this happen? When we are dehydrated, our brain function becomes reserved. This can lead to a range of issues that impact mental clarity, reaction time, muscle function, and even our mood. Dehydration also affects your blood volume causing headaches and dizziness. Some drivers try not to consume much water on the road for fear that they will have to stop to use the restroom too frequently. But the symptoms caused by dehydration are too dangerous to ignore. Another mistake drivers make is blasting the A/C when they start to feel tired or sluggish. If you are feeling fatigued because you are dehydrated, the A/C will dehydrate you even more (removed “out). Your body is considered dehydrated when it loses two percent of its weight in water. However, negative effects can start to occur after just a one percent loss. A sure way to tell if you are dehydrated is by the color of your urine. It should be mostly clear and if too yellow, it can indicate that you need more fluids. Traveling at higher elevations or extremely hot temperatures increases your chance of dehydration. There is no magic number for how many ounces of water you need to drink in a day, but you should be drinking plenty of water before and during your long trips. Sports drinks that include electrolytes are also good if you become severely dehydrated. Most importantly, don’t worry about taking breaks to use the restroom and fill up on water. It’s better to take a little extra time than to possibly put yourself and others in danger.

In the summer, we’re bombarded with articles, ads, news stories, and social media posts encouraging us to wear sunscreen whenever we’re outdoors. But what you may not realize is that sunscreen should not only be worn when you’re out of the house, but also when you plan to be in your truck or car for a long period of time. Most vehicles typically include laminated windshields that filter out UV rays. But rear and side windows are made of non-laminated glass that only filter UVB rays and not the harmful skin-penetrating UVA rays. Aside from the infamous ‘Trucker’s Tan’, driving without sunscreen can also lead to premature aging and even skin cancer. Ultra-Violet Radiation UV radiation is part of the light spectrum that reaches the earth from the sun. It’s wavelengths are invisible to the naked eye. These wavelengths are classified as UVA, UVB, or UVC. UVA and UVB rays reach earth, while most UVC rays are absorbed by the ozone layer. Both UVA and UVB play an important role in causing premature skin aging, eye damage (including cataracts), and skin cancers. They also suppress the immune system, reducing your ability to fight off disease. UVB Rays UVB rays are the main cause of skin reddening and sunburn and tend to damage the skin's outer layers. The most significant amount of UVB hits the U.S. between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. from April to October. However, UVB rays do not significantly penetrate glass, so these aren’t the ones you really need to worry about when inside your truck. UVA Rays Throughout our lives, we are exposed to large amounts of UVA light. They are less intense than UVB rays, but up to 50 times more prevalent. They are also present during all daylight hours, throughout the entire year, and can pass through clouds and glass. UVA rays penetrate skin more deeply than UVB rays and play a major part in skin aging and wrinkling. UVA also damages skin cells in the basal layer of the epidermis where most skin cancers occur. How This Affects Truckers A recent study published in The Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, found that people who had spent the most time driving each week were more likely to develop skin cancers on the left sides of their bodies and faces, the side exposed to more sun while driving. In patients with malignant melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, 74 percent of the tumors were found on the left sides, compared with only 26 percent on the right. To protect yourself, apply sunscreen to any exposed areas (like your hands, forearms, and face) every time you get into your truck for a long ride, regardless of the season. Make sure to use a broad spectrum sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB rays with an SPF rating of 50 or higher. You may also want to purchase a sun shirt, which will block most UV rays better than a plain t-shirt. Following these steps will help you and your skin stay healthy for the long haul. Image Source: https://flic.kr/p/4Vqpa4

Two of the biggest costs in the trucking industry are fuel and tires. They are some of the expenses that eat into your profits more than anything else, and so any time that you can improve either of them, your company will be better for it. Fortunately, if you take the time to make sure that your tires are wearing properly, then you will also improve your fuel economy at the same time. Here are some tips that will help you to save time, money, fuel, and tire life. Ensure Proper Tire Inflation This is a no-brainer. Just about every truck driver out there knows that an underinflated tire is wearing out faster, and is downright dangerous to use. The reason it is the first item on our list is that so many drivers don’t seem to pay attention to their tires or make sure that they are properly inflated. When you are inspected, you want to make sure that your rig is in top shape so you aren’t wasting time doing costly repairs, or wasting money with fines. But did you know that there are thousands of trucks on the road that are running on underinflated tires? Some even on flat tires? Instead of leaving things to chance, invest in a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). All new cars come with these built in; there is no reason that your truck shouldn’t have one either. The way it works is simple. When the pressure gets low in one of your tires, an alert is sent wirelessly to the transceiver. You’ll then know that it is time to check the pressure in your tires at your next stop. Properly inflated tires will ensure the least amount of drag when you are travelling. Less drag leads to better fuel economy. Use the Right Tires Generally speaking, you likely haul the same loads every trip, or at least something very similar. So you know what kind of tires you need for your truck and trailer. But when was the last time you looked at tire technology? It changes all the time as different rubbers are being discovered, and new ways of making the tires are being incorporated. The tires you were using for the last 5 years are likely not the top of the line anymore. For instance, you might benefit by switching to a low rolling resistance tire. These tires have less tread on them, and therefore they have less drag. As we know less drag leads to better fuel economy. However, if you don’t make sure you have proper inflation, your investment in these tires will be negated. Also Read: Prolonging Tire Life Maintain Your Truck You know the basics of maintenance, and you would never let something under the hood go without repairs. So why do many drivers ignore their trailers? Did you know that if you aren’t properly aligned, you could be losing 2% in your fuel economy? Let’s think about that for a minute. Suppose you get 8 mpg on average. But you aren’t properly aligned. This means your fuel economy is 2% lower than it could be (add 2% and we get 8.16 mpg). It doesn’t seem like much, but it adds up. If you drive 50,000 miles per year, you are currently burning through 6,250 gallons of diesel every year. This costs you $18,750 (at $3 per gallon). A 2% improvement in fuel economy means that you save 123 gallons of diesel, or $369 per year. It doesn’t seem like a lot, but if you drive more, that number goes higher; if the price of fuel goes up, that number goes higher. Obviously if you have a severe alignment issue, then you are experiencing even more than 2% loss in fuel economy. Slow It Down The key to making a living is to get to your destination quickly so that you can turn around and get to the next destination quickly. But did you know that every mile per hour over 55 can result in a 2% reduction of fuel economy? That means going 55 mph, instead of 65mph, you get 20% better mpg. Of course that means you spend more time on the road. More hours driving, or spend more on fuel (and subsequently more on tires that wear out faster). Which do you prefer? Wrapping It Up Improving your fuel economy is tricky since there are a lot of variables. If you do just one, you probably won’t see much of an improvement. However, if you take into account all of these tips, you could see your miles per gallon improve by 25% or more. Wouldn’t we all like to work the same amount, but be 25% more efficient? Originally published on TeamRunSmart.com

If you operate a fleet of trucks perhaps you’re aware of the small business health care tax credit that might be available to you. To be eligible for this credit you must: Have purchased coverage through the Small Business Health Options Program - also known as the SHOP Marketplace Have fewer than 25 full-time equivalent employees Pay an average wage of less than $50,000 a year Pay at least half of employee health insurance premiums For tax years beginning in 2014: The maximum credit increases to 50 percent of premiums paid for small business employers and 35 percent of premiums paid for small tax-exempt employers. To be eligible for the credit, you must pay premiums on behalf of employees enrolled in a qualified health plan offered through a Small Business Health Options Program Marketplace or qualify for an exception to this requirement. The credit is available to eligible employers for two consecutive taxable years. Even if you are a small business employer who did not owe taxes during the year, you can carry the credit back or forward to other tax years. Also, since the amount of the health insurance premium payments is more than the total credit, eligible small businesses can still claim a business expense deduction for the premiums in excess of the credit. That’s both a credit and a deduction for employee premium payments. There is good news for small tax-exempt employers, too. The credit is refundable, so even if you have no taxable income, you may be eligible to receive the credit as a refund so long as it does not exceed your income tax withholding and Medicare tax liability. Refund payments issued to small tax-exempt employers claiming the refundable portion of credit are subject to sequestration. Finally, you can benefit from the credit even if you forgot to claim it on your 2014 tax return; there’s still time to file an amended return. Generally, a claim for refund must be filed within three years from the time the return was filed or two years from the time the tax was paid, whichever of such periods expires later. For tax years 2010 through 2013, the maximum credit is 35 percent of premiums paid for small business employers and 25 percent of premiums paid for small tax-exempt employers such as charities. Also Read: The Affordable Care Act & You You must use Form 8941, Credit for Small Employer Health Insurance Premiums, to calculate the credit. For detailed information on filling out this form, see the Instructions for Form 8941. If you are a small business, include the amount as part of the general business credit on your income tax return. If you are a tax-exempt organization, include the amount on line 44f of the Form 990-T, Exempt Organization Business Income Tax Return. You must file the Form 990-T in order to claim the credit, even if you don't ordinarily do so. This article originally featured on TeamRunSmart.com

Nothing can dampen your day like a roadside inspection. They are a fact of life for owner-operators and independent drivers. A DOT truck inspection may seem like a nuisance, but it's important. Roadside inspections serve as an on-the-spot safety check-up for commercial motor vehicles and drivers. With new technology, inspections can happen practically anywhere along the highway, rural roadways, truck stops, and rest areas. So it’s best to be ready for them! There are several types of roadside inspections with the most common being conducted by Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) and DOT-trained inspectors. The CVSA has six different levels of roadside inspections with varying degrees of detail. Level I is the most common and involves the examination of documents and a detailed vehicle inspection. It normally takes about 30 minutes to complete this type of inspection, which might seem like an eternity when you’re on a tight schedule. However, if you plan ahead and prepare, you’ll pass your roadside inspection with flying colors in no time! 1. Keep documents up-to-date and readily available A “typical” Level I inspection requires a review of your driver’s license, medical examiner’s certificate, driver’s record of duty status (log book), documentation of annual inspection, hazardous materials paperwork, and permit credentials. Your log book should be current to the last change of duty status, but inspectors might review up to seven days. Andy Blair, a DOT-certified inspector, suggests making your documents easy to inspect. Place all your documents in a binder or folder so the inspector can quickly go through everything at once. You’ll look organized and professional and will probably be on your way faster. 2. Be professional and courteous to your inspector This should go without saying, but attitude counts. Inspectors have the discretion to inspect who they like. If you make inappropriate or rude remarks you’ve probably just increased your chances of being chosen for an inspection. Inspectors don’t have quotas for handing out citations, but they do have to conduct a certain number of inspections each day. You’ll get picked someday. It’s just part of the job. Just smile and be polite to your inspector. 3. Keep your truck clean and know where everything is kept Your truck cab doesn’t have to be immaculate, but it should be relatively clean. If your truck cab looks like a mess then you’ve probably increased your chances of an inspection. When Blair sees a truck cab that just looks and smells bad, he thinks “This guy really doesn’t keep after things too well. The chances of me finding something wrong with the truck are probably better.” Keep things as tidy as you can while you’re on the road. You should also keep the outside of your truck in working order too. Inspectors will look at things like brakes, tires, windshield wipers and much more. Before each trip make sure you check your lights to ensure they are all in working order. Look at your tires for baldness or sidewall damage. Any tire damage is usually an invitation for a thorough inspection. Additionally, know where the fire extinguishers and emergency triangles are kept. 4. Be aware of the “Out-of-Service” criteria Out-of-service violations are serious and need to be addressed immediately. If you attempt to leave before an out-of-service situation has been fixed, you could face disqualification and large fines. Know the out-of-service criteria and check the items when you conduct your pre-trip check. Items include the brake system, coupling devices, frame, fuel system, tires, and many other items. Roadside inspections are part of the job. They can happen anytime and anywhere. Inspections may be annoying and time consuming, but are important to ensure your safety and the safety of others on the road. So instead of waiting until the next time you are stopped, start by cleaning your cab now, organizing your documents, and brushing up the out-of-service criteria. Be professional, polite, and smile and you’ll be on your way to passing your roadside inspection with flying colors! This article was originally featured on TeamRunSmart.com.