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. However, if you make only the minimum payment each month, you could end up paying thousands 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, 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 6-21 months after the first billing cycle. Oftentimes 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 Create 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. 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 will keep you on track, and before you know it, you’ll be on the road to a debt-free life.

Being a truck driver is not a simple job and not all truck drivers are the same. Each haul different freight, in different types of trailers, at different lengths, for different types of companies, in different parts of the country. This means just because you are a truck driver doing one thing, it doesn’t mean you are going to be doing the same thing forever. Being a truck driver should be seen as a full-time career rather than just a job. Since 1998, ATBS has helped truck drivers become more successful through various stages of their careers. From those experiences, we defined what we call the "Driver Career Journey.” The Driver Career Journey is not a linear path, and many drivers will travel back and forth between the different stages of the Journey over the course of their careers. Let’s take a look at how we define the different stages along the Driver Career Journey and the advantages each offers when being a truck driver is your career. Company Driver Most drivers in the trucking industry are Company Drivers. Becoming a Company Driver is typically seen as the first stage in the Driver Career Journey. Many drivers enjoy the low risk and high rewards that come with being a Company Driver, and end up spending their entire career as an employee. Company Drivers don’t own their truck and drive the truck their carrier provides to them. They don’t have much control over increasing their earnings as it is often limited to longevity at a carrier and receiving bonuses for items like safe driving and good fuel economy. However, the personal rewards that come with being a Company Driver are high. This is because they enjoy the benefits that attract so many people to driving -- freedom, amazing views, and experiences, without the worries and stress that comes with being an owner-operator.  A truck driver can make an entire career out of driving as a Company Driver. Lease-Purchase Owner-Operators under Carrier Authority (Pioneer) The next stage of the Driver Career Journey is becoming a lease-purchase owner-operator under carrier authority. At ATBS, we call this stage the Pioneer stage. Becoming a Pioneer is a low-risk way for a driver to become an entrepreneur, running their own trucking business as an independent contractor/owner-operator.  Pioneers are typically first-time owner-operators who are still leased under a carrier’s operating authority. Pioneers are adventurous and courageous but still seek support networks for business and financial coaching. This is because they likely have good experience driving a truck, but may still be learning about how to run their own business. Most Pioneers acquire their truck through a carrier-sponsored program and usually have a more limited choice of what truck they can drive. Pioneers lease to a carrier to leverage that carrier’s freight network and buying networks. This makes it easier for them to find freight and also cheaper for them to purchase things like insurance, fuel, maintenance, and tires . Because Pioneers are responsible for managing the revenue and expenses of their business, they tend to earn more money than company drivers.  Pioneers are courageous, yet still on a learning curve. Compared to the other owner-operator segments, success rates are lower and there is a relatively high turnover. Successful Pioneers often transition into Hired Guns, which is what we will talk about next. Owner-Operators under Carrier Authority with Own truck (Hired Gun) The big difference between a Pioneer, and what ATBS calls a Hired Gun, is that a Hired Gun owns or finances their own truck rather than leasing it through a carrier-sponsored program. But, they still choose to drive under a carrier’s operating authority.  Hired Guns tend to be more experienced than Pioneers. They choose their truck in the open market in order to find exactly what they want to drive. They might finance their truck purchase, lease their truck, or they may pay cash and purchase their truck outright. Hired Guns enjoy the independence that comes with owning their truck but operate within certain norms established at their carrier.  Similar to Pioneers, Hired Guns typically leverage the carrier’s buying networks for things like insurance , fuel, maintenance, and tires. However, the primary reason most Hired Guns lease to a carrier is to take advantage of that carrier’s freight network. This way they don’t have to manage sales and revenue collection the way an owner-operator under their own authority does while they are also able to rely on more predictive revenue and miles. In general, Hired Guns make their own purchase and support decisions while maintaining an arms-length relationship with their carriers. They are experienced, reliable, trustworthy, and they enjoy their independence while operating within established norms.  Owner-Operator with Own Authority (Lone Ranger) ATBS calls owner-operators operating under their own authority Lone Rangers. This is the next step in the Driver Career Journey. Lone Rangers operate under their own authority which means they aren’t backed by a carrier. They make their own purchase decisions and have to manage their own customers. Often, Lone Rangers become members of associations in order to take advantage of discounts on items like fuel, tires, and insurance. Two of the largest owner-operator associations are the Owner-Operator Independent Driver Association (OOIDA) and the American Association of Owner-Operators (AAOO). As mentioned earlier, Lone Rangers are responsible for finding and managing their own customers. They have to be savvy when it comes to negotiating rates, collecting revenue, and paying all their vendors on time. Lone Rangers may find some success operating on the fringe of the mainstream industry and gravitate toward specialty/high-paying niches. Their income fluctuates based on economic and industry cycles, and Lone Rangers may go between being a Hired Gun and Lone Ranger based upon these cycles. Going back to a Hired Gun from a Lone Ranger will once again allow a driver to take advantage of a carrier’s freight options. Driving is a Lone Ranger’s chosen profession and they are in it for the long haul… no pun intended. They have proven to be accomplished entrepreneurs and are able to be self-reliant. Click here to download our list  of industry partners who provide services for truck drivers with their own authority and take advantage of exclusive discounts . Owner-Operator with Multiple Trucks (Trail Blazer) The last stage in the Driver Career Journey is owner-operators who own multiple trucks. We call the drivers in this stage Trail Blazers. Trail Blazers are the next generation of small but growing trucking fleets. They’ve been successful as a Lone Ranger and have proven their ability to make it on their own through the good times and the bad.  Trail Blazers are comfortable enough mentally and financially to take the next step in entrepreneurship by growing their fleet and managing multiple trucks . Trail Blazers often still drive, in addition to managing everything else it takes to make a small business run. They often run on their own authority, but they sometimes choose to operate their small fleet under the operating authority of a much larger carrier.  The job as a Trail Blazer hardly ever stops. However, their grit is a trait shared by others who have built some of the largest truck fleets in America. This is what motivates them to keep going. So can you have a career as a truck driver? What we’ve learned is that being a truck driver is very much a career. It is an occupation that provides a lot of room for movement, growth, and development. Truck driving as a career is not for everybody, but for those people who work hard and love what they do, the mental, emotional, and monetary rewards are well worth it.

Improving your fuel efficiency by 1 MPG can save you over $10,000 per year! Luckily for you, there are many simple ways to improve this. Here is our list of the Top 25 Ways for Truck Drivers to Improve Fuel Efficiency. 1. MINIMIZE CRUISE SPEED This one may seem obvious, but going faster means you are going to burn more fuel. Every 1 MPH increase in speed results in a .14 MPG decrease in fuel economy. 2. MANAGE CRUISE RPM Managing the speed of your engine is also important in maximizing your fuel efficiency. Find the “sweet spot”, which is the most efficient RPM to run your engine. 1250 - 1350 RPM tends to be a good “sweet spot”. 3. USE THE LOWEST COST STATIONS An easy way to save money on fuel is to fill up at the lower cost stations. Many trucking-specific GPS systems will plan your route for you to stop at the less-expensive fuel stations along the way. Are you a self-employed truck driver that needs help managing your fuel costs? Click here! 4. TAKE THE SHORTEST ROUTE There are often many different ways to get to the same destination. Take the route that requires the least amount of driving in order to use the least amount of fuel. 5. AVOID UNNECESSARY DRIVING If you are going to go out of your way to stop for fuel, you might as well use the restroom and purchase any items you need, in order to avoid going out of your way to stop again a few hours later. 6. AVOID UNNECESSARY ITEMS The more weight that is in your truck, the more it has to work to move down the highway. Your truck already carries thousands of pounds, don’t make it carry any more than it has to. 7. MONITOR TIRE PRESSURE Underinflated tires decrease your fuel economy. For every 1 PSI drop in pressure, your fuel mileage can be reduced by 0.3%. 8. MINIMIZE IDLING Only idle your truck when absolutely necessary. One hour of idling burns about a gallon of fuel. 9. DON’T OVERFILL THE TANK When fuel is heated, it can begin to expand. This means if you fill your tank to capacity, the expanded fuel can cause the tank to overflow and waste fuel. 10. BE MODERATE WITH BRAKING Braking is a necessary part of driving. However, every time you slow down from braking, it takes more fuel to get back up to speed. Leaving more distance between you and the vehicle you are following can reduce braking. 11. STAY IN HIGHER GEAR Driving in the highest gear possible is a good way to help maximize fuel efficiency. Traveling at faster rates in low gears can consume 45% more fuel than is needed. 12. KEEP LOAD HEIGHT LOW The more evenly distributed the load is in the trailer, the less effort the truck will need to get moving. It’s good practice to keep the load as low and as level as possible. 13. USE YOUR MOMENTUM Your foot doesn’t always need to be on the gas pedal, burning fuel. If you see a hill coming up, use the downward part of the hill to build speed and use that momentum to get yourself up the other side. 14. MINIMIZE AIR CONDITIONING Every time you use your A/C, you are increasing fuel consumption by 0.2-0.4 miles per gallon. Sometimes this can be unavoidable, but when you can, just crack the window! 15. CHECK VEHICLE ALIGNMENT Another important factor to getting the best possible fuel efficiency is to make sure your tires are pointed straight down the road. A tire that is even ¼ degree from perfectly straight will try to travel 10-15 feet sideways every mile. 16. INSPECT THE FAN Your engine fan will typically run 5%-7% of the time the engine is on, but will run much more frequently if there is a problem with it. This affects fuel efficiency because the more the fan runs, the more horsepower the truck uses. 17. USE CRUISE CONTROL When you are able to, use cruise control. Cruise control can limit unnecessary acceleration and deceleration and can actually save you up to 6% in fuel consumption on the road. 18. CHECK BATTERY CABLES Check and clean your battery cables any time you are getting an engine check-up. If your battery cables are corroded, it causes the alternator to work harder. 19. INVEST IN AERODYNAMICS There are many add-ons you can purchase for your truck to improve aerodynamics, which leads to improved fuel efficiency. Three of the most common add-ons are tractor side fairings, deep angled bumpers, and trailer skirts. 20. LEARN FROM THE EXPERTS There are drivers out there who specialize in fuel efficiency and aerodynamics. Don't be afraid to look up their videos or read their articles and listen to what they have to say. 21. UNDERSTAND YOUR TRUCK As you know, the technology of trucks has advanced greatly over the years. Make sure you understand your truck inside and out and are taking advantage of all the technology on your truck that will help with your fuel efficiency. 22. PLAN YOUR TRIP Aside from just taking the shortest route, plan out when you're going to get to certain places on your trip and where you're going to fill up. If possible, avoid driving through places at times you know there will be a lot of traffic and fill up in places where the net price will be lowest. 23. TRACK YOUR NUMBERS Make sure you are keeping a record of your fuel mileage daily, weekly, or monthly. This way you will able to see how you're improving over time and if the changes you are making are working. 24. BE OPEN TO CHANGING YOUR DRIVING HABITS It can be hard to make changes if you've been doing something the same way over time. However, you can start by making small changes and once you see how these small changes improve your fuel mileage you'll be more likely to keep making changes over time. 25. KEEP FUEL EFFICIENCY IN MIND Lastly, one of the best ways to improve fuel efficiency is to make it a priority. Keep this list in mind and think about these things while you are on the road. Soon, you will be maximizing your fuel efficiency without even realizing it.

An owner-operator's No. 1 challenge today is keeping more of their hard-earned money. We’d like to tackle this problem by listing four key steps that help owner-operators hold onto the revenue they generate. Before looking at your expenses, you will need to understand them fully. Look at your expenses over the past 60 to 90 days. If you have an ATBS Profit and Loss Statement, this tool will serve as your expense road map. If you don’t have an ATBS Profit and Loss Statement, you will need to calculate every expense in your business and personal life. Once you have a strong sense of the money coming in and going out the door, you can get started planning how to lower your expenses and increase your profit. Step 1: Personal Expense Allocation Your first expense strategy is to identify the total funds you have each month after you’ve paid your trucking expenses. A typical owner-operator will have gross revenue in the range of $14,500 a month and truck expenses of $9,250 per month, leaving a net income of $5,250 a month. Owner-operators should allocate approximately 60% of their net income for all personal expenses. If you exceed 60%, then you might need to review your list of personal expenses and cut back. Step 2: Cover Taxes and Retirement – Then Have Fun The next step is to divide the remaining 40% of your net income into three areas including; 25% for Tax Estimates,10% for Retirement, and 5% for Fun and Unexpected Expenses. If you have the discipline, remain committed to saving as much as possible by maximizing the retirement bucket whenever possible. It is remarkable how quickly you can reach retirement goals by putting away as much money as you can early in life. Step 3: Tend Your Financial Garden Understanding your expenses is not an annual task; it’s a task that should be addressed every month if possible. We’ve compiled a list of the biggest expense areas that are opportunities for an owner-operator to consider: 1. Credit Card Debt. If you have credit card debt, consider paying it as soon as possible. Credit Cards are good cash management tools but they are typically one of the worst ways to rack up debt because of high interest rates. A monthly credit card bill includes information on how long it will take you to pay off your balance if you only make minimum payments. It also tells you how much you would need to pay each month in order to pay off your balance in three years. 2. Extra Cars. Does your family have more than one car? If there are extra or unused cars and trucks in your driveway, consider selling them immediately especially if you are making a payment; not only will you save on car payments but you will save on car insurance, taxes, and gas purchases. 3. Luxury Expenses. One of the “low-hanging fruits” in your financial garden is the “Entertainment and Food” expense. Decide to eat at home more often and find entertainment that does not cost a lot. You’d be surprised to find that most public museums, zoos, and art houses offer “free days” throughout the year. 4. Unnecessary Expenses. Review your housing expenses and look for unnecessary expenditures such as cable TV, home phone, and Starbucks coffees. Consider calling the competition to ensure you are getting the best rate possible. 5. Comparison Tools. Be vigilant with your Smartphone bill and your insurance bills. It’s no cost to inquire and some sites make comparing fast, and easy. Step 4: Fuel Expenses Owner-operators face high fuel expenses and we’ve compiled some ways to save money on fuel: Slow down Find the “sweet spot” of your engine Be smart with braking Minimize idling Use your carrier's fuel network Take advantage of fuel-saving cards and app Owner-operators live with the day-to-day challenge of rising costs. This means today’s owner-operators need to continually focus on ways to be smart with their money. From expenses at home to fuel expenses on the road, each expense is an opportunity to either save money or waste money. At ATBS we hope you take the time to consider ways to save money.

Greetings, fellow drivers! It’s an exciting time of year for sure…summer is here now, and the weather has gotten quite a bit warmer around much of the country. I find this particularly exciting because I can get out again and exercise with my dogs on my 30-minute breaks, and I can wear athletic shoes instead of clunky boots and heavy coats. I really missed getting outdoors daily, stretching, and just enjoying movement during the long driving shifts. I realize that I have slacked off a bit (well, more than a bit) since the weather got cold, and it’s actually pretty apparent in a concrete way, as I recently reviewed the results of my yearly lab tests (you know— A1C, cholesterol, and all that good stuff). Now I know for certain that those daily exercise sessions really do have a significant impact on my overall health. In fact, I truly thought the best part of my daily exercise routine was all about walking and/or jogging, and that’s why I inadvertently regarded exercising in the truck (which obviously involves some ingenuity to make up for lack of space) as fairly ineffective and inconvenient, in general. But since then I’ve changed my mind…or my entire mindset, actually! There are plenty of other good ways to stay fit while you’re in the truck, even though they may not feel as exciting or impactful as some of the full-on outdoor activities. Some research and discussion with my doctor has, in fact, shown to be beneficial, and I’d like to share with you what I learned: mixing your exercise routine is extremely effective, and it can actually be fun to develop and implement new habits and techniques into your daily routine! In fact, a mixture of cardio, strength training, resistance exercises, and high-intensity workouts will optimize your results. Equipped with this new knowledge and a mindset that now accepts that it’s not always possible to do those preferred outdoor activities, as well as a healthy dose of motivation after seeing my less than perfect numbers from the lab, I’ve set out to create a more consistent and effective plan for daily exercise, and it includes a bit of everything from walking outside, to lifting free weights, to resistance training and strength exercises, high-intensity exercise, and now my new favorite…Yoga! Now, in case there is anyone out there who needs ideas or even a little inspiration, please note the following fun fact: Exercising in the truck doesn’t have to be all about pull-ups or sit-ups. You can incorporate some really good yoga moves to help with toning and stretching, and overall joint health. Now I do carry a yoga mat with me, but it’s not really for the faint of heart because a lot of us don’t like to pull that mat out in public and get busy on the side of the truck stop or somewhere else! But my research has keyed me in on some trending exercises that can be done in bed! Now keep your mind out of the gutter, and let me share a link with you: https://www.realsimple.com/health/fitness-exercise/stretching-yoga/yoga-in-bed The good news about doing these exercises is that the majority of the space we have in our truck is actually the bunk area. Yoga is excellent for winding down and relaxing before bed, too. There are lots of apps out there that you can download for free, and they offer techniques that range from beginner to advanced, so you can learn progressively throughout the year! I also strongly recommend getting a fitness tracker (I use an Apple Watch) to keep track of workouts, steps, calories, etc. It plays a huge role in keeping me accountable and motivated, and it may do the same for you. Of course, be sure that you’re physically fit enough to do the types of exercises that you enjoy and, as always, consult your physician if you have any questions about your physical condition and ability to exercise regularly and safely.

Stress is a part of life, but as truck drivers, we deal with a unique set of circumstances. Whether it's navigating through a congested city, stopping traffic to dock at a customer, or getting a routine inspection by the DOT at some point, there can be pressure and anxiety associated with trucking. How we respond in these moments will contribute to our success and peace of mind, or dissatisfaction, if we allow it. So, here’s my quick and simple formula for managing stress, I hope it helps: Accept Acceptance allows us to recognize that we are choosing to focus on one emotion, yet we are capable of choosing another. Life is going to throw us curve balls, and we don’t need to worry about things outside of our control. Don’t waste valuable mental energy ruminating over something that can’t be changed. Remember that we’re human, and it’s okay to have an impulse to give in to anger and stress. Often we behave in patterns, and creating new patterns of behavior and trying to condition ourselves to have new initial reactions, takes practice. It’s a skill. Take responsibility for your emotions. Anger can sometimes be the result of a victim mindset if our perception is one of injustice. Life is happening “for us,” not “to us”. This segues nicely into the next step. Select We should ask ourselves, how do we want to respond? Are we responding in haste, thoughtlessly, or otherwise limited? There is an infinite number of responses we can have. How often do we consider one response, or even two? I strive for wisdom, grace, and tact, but as a human, I find it challenging sometimes. There’s one thing that we do have supreme control over, and that’s how we choose to respond to situations. Learning how to take charge of this power should not be undervalued. Selecting is understanding that our thoughts create our emotions, and becoming aware of different perspectives is the same as becoming aware of different thoughts. A quick example to illustrate my point is as follows: Someone cuts you off in traffic. One response may be, “What a jerk, this guy is being reckless and inconsiderate of other vehicles on the road”. Another response could be, “There might be an emergency, possibly a hurt child or pregnant woman”. Even a third response, “That guy must really have to use the bathroom”. Notice how each one of these could influence our behavior and temperament. Embrace So something happens, we have an impulse to respond, we’ve considered multiple different responses, and have settled on what we feel is the best perspective. Now it’s time to embrace our choice. We may need to set little reminders for ourselves until sitting in a new emotional state becomes a habit. I have set reminders on my phone asking, “How do I want to respond?” or maybe a post-it note, or jewelry, that reminds you of this incredible power. Get creative, and if you want more information on why this is so important consider these implications: The negative health effects of stress. People say “Don’t stress, you’ll give yourself an ulcer”. That goes deeper than we know. Our thoughts can make us sick, but is the opposite true? People say “laughter is the best medicine,” and don't realize that this is truer than we know. Emotions are hormones and chemicals in the body. “Research has found a link between an upbeat mental state and improved health, including lower blood pressure, reduced risk for heart disease, healthier weight, better blood sugar levels, and longer life.” (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2018) I’m convinced that if more people knew how this worked, everyone would be shifting their emotional states to reap these benefits. Thanks so much for reading and remember, how do you want to show up today? U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2018, November 1). Positive emotions and your health . National Institutes of Health. Retrieved September 15, 2022, from https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2015/08/positive-emotions-your-health#:~:text=Research%20has%20found%20a%20link,sugar%20levels%2C%20and%20longer%20life.

Truck dash cams are becoming more of a necessity in our current climate. It can sometimes feel overwhelming to integrate new technology into your truck or fleet. However, there are many benefits for truckers to use a dash cam in a variety of different situations. Here is our list of the top 5 benefits of using a truck dash cam and the key features to look for when purchasing your own dash cam. Evidence of an Accident This is the main and most popular reason to get a truck dash cam. If you happen to get in an accident, using a dash cam video will be your strongest piece of evidence to prove the accident wasn’t your fault. Without the video evidence, there is a chance the other driver can say the accident was your fault, even if it wasn’t, and you are forced to pay for the repairs. However, keep in mind that if the accident is your fault, the video evidence will be used against you. Keeping Your Truck Safe at All Times Many dash cams can be set to record even without the engine being on. This allows you to be away from your truck or sleeping and still be able to keep track of any activity. Having the ability to record when you are away allows you to monitor your assets, keeping your truck safe and secure. Your dash cam allows you to catch anyone who vandalizes or tries to break into your truck. For example, a dash cam is perfect for when you return to your parked truck and there is a ding on the bumper because you are able to go back to the video and see who caused the damage. This allows you to have peace of mind when it comes to leaving your vehicle, knowing that your dash cam will protect your truck while you are away. Aiding in Emergency Responses Live telematic dash cams are a great investment for anyone who may need emergency responses in the future. With the ability to record your GPS location and initiate a call to emergency services, you will be fully taken care of with this function. In case of an emergency or breakdown, live telematic dash cams can pinpoint the exact location of your vehicle and automatically make an emergency call. Having the support of this feature can accelerate the response times for emergency services. This has the potential to save lives and prevent any further damage if an emergency does arise. Insurance Savings Insurance claim history can significantly impact a driver's monthly payment. In order to prevent negative claims from showing up on your insurance, having a dash cam will allow you to have recorded evidence in case of an accident. Providing the evidence from the dash cam footage has revolutionized the way claims are handled, making claims smoother and quicker to process. The transparency and fairness that the dash cam provides to an insurance claim helps protect a driver's motor vehicle record, leading to lower rates and preventing fraudulent claims. Training and Coaching Utilizing dash cams as a part of your fleet's training and coaching will enhance your driver behavior, lower your company costs, and save you time in the long run. Some fleet managers fear that their drivers may feel that they are not trusted by their supervisors. However, by setting up an intentional implementation process that includes drivers, you will create and promote a culture of safety. Being able to view your drivers' interactions on the road provides opportunities to celebrate positive behaviors that drivers are demonstrating or to engage in constructive feedback to mitigate risky driving behaviors in the future. Additionally, with the GPS features found in some dash cams, managers are able to make real-time decisions in supporting their drivers. Incorporating dash cams into your fleet will lead to higher levels of driver accountability with training development opportunities. Furthermore, it will enhance logistics and improve road safety in your company. Key Features If you are ready to purchase a dash cam, here are a few things to consider. The price can range from as low as $40 and as high as $500 depending on the available features. There are several companies that make dash cams including Garmin, Thinkware, and Blackvue. Trying to find a dash cam that meets your needs and doesn’t break the bank can be overwhelming. We have put together a list of some key features to keep in mind when choosing your next dash cam. Video Quality Important for ensuring that whatever your dash cam records is visible and clear to the viewer. Look for high-quality (HD) video resolution, a wide-angle lens, and night vision capabilities. Battery Life and Durability Crucial for ensuring that your dash cam has a long life cycle. You will want to find a dash cam that has sufficient battery life to last through your driving hours. Some dash cams come with an auto-start feature that will automatically record when you start your truck. Having this feature will help you ensure that your dash cam is always on and ready to go. When it comes to durability, research the dash cam's ability to withstand extreme conditions such as, heat, cold, and the vibrations from your truck. Power Another important feature to keep in mind when finding the right dash cam for your needs. There are two options to consider when it comes to powering your dash cam. The first is by using the vehicle’s electrical systems that turn the dash cam on automatically when the ignition is started. The second is a manual turn-on, where the driver or fleet manager has to turn the dash cam on themselves. Parking Mode A feature that some dash cams have. This mode is important because the dash cam can record incidents even when the vehicle is parked. When the vehicle is parked, movement on or around the truck will trigger the motion detector on the dash cam causing it to turn on and begin recording. This feature will help you identify incidents of vandalism or break-in attempts when you are away from your truck. ELD Integration An electronic logging device that is capable of recording a driver’s driving hours and duty status automatically. This feature can help you streamline your trucking logs. Loop Recording How most dash cams work. This means that when the memory card is full the camera overwrites the oldest videos and replaces them with the newer ones. This ensures that recording always happens and you don’t need to remember to delete old footage. G-sensors Used to detect sudden changes in direction or impact, similar to an accident. When there is an accident detected, the dash cam will automatically lock the relevant footage, ensuring that it is kept in your files. By doing this, the G-sensor prevents the video recording from being overwritten in the loop recording process. Many dash cams come with this feature. GPS A feature that will help you in every drive that you have. The basic function of GPS is to provide directions to your next location. However, the GPS feature in dash cams is more extensive. It will detect upcoming route complications and recommend alternative routes. Furthermore, it will provide a record of the vehicle’s speed, helping you maintain safe driving habits. This feature is not only beneficial for truck drivers but fleets as well. Providing drivers with a dash cam with the GPS feature allows your company to better understand driving patterns, how they impact fuel consumption/vehicle performance, and help you improve delivery efficiency. Future of Dash Cams Similar to all other technology, dash cams will continue to evolve in the future. Some of the key features that are projected to continue to modernize the dash cam industry are Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning capabilities. These technologies have the ability to analyze real-time footage to detect risky behaviors like drowsy and distracted driving, or traffic signals and speeding violations. They provide in-cab audio and visual alerts that warn the driver of these detected behaviors or violations to help drivers ensure safe driving habits. Additionally, the use of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) will continue to enhance safety. This technology will provide real-time collision, lane departure, and forward-collision warnings to help prevent accidents before they occur. Lastly, the Cloud Connectivity feature will cover more powerful connectivity. This will lead to real-time video streaming and data analysis for fleet managers allowing them to have quicker response times and seamless integration with previous fleet management systems. Dash Cam Laws By State Although there are not many negatives when it comes to getting a dash cam for your truck or fleet, it is important to be aware of the laws and regulations that each state has regarding dash cams. For example, privacy concerns when you record video and sometimes audio may infringe on someone's privacy rights. You can find more information about these laws here: Dash Cam Laws By State . Are you ready to purchase a truck dash cam? If you are ready to purchase a truck dash cam, make sure to keep all of this in mind while you are making your decision on what truck dash cam to purchase.

If you own a small business or are an independent contractor, you’re well aware of the headaches and stresses that cash flow can cause. The fluctuations can make it difficult to pay your employees, purchase new equipment, expand your business, or even stay afloat. Often these fluctuations in cash flow seem out of your control; clients pay you on their terms (30, 60, sometimes 90 days) or pay you on delivery, which often happens after you really need funds. But there are things you can do to improve cash flow and understanding your options is what is truly important. Consider these five cash flow tips: Have a cash flow plan.  This may seem obvious, but many small businesses and contractors do not have a plan. List out your expenses and the cash you need to conduct business and then plan for and around it. If you create a cash flow plan you’ll likely put yourself in position to account for those items you need before your customers pay, easing the cash flow crunch.  ATBS provides invaluable benchmarking data to help you make the best choices for your business. Offer discounts to your top customers.  Identify your top five customers and offer them discounts for early payment. Often these discounts are not huge, but large enough that customers may take advantage of them. You may have seen these discount terms on invoices; they often look like ‘1% 10, net 30’ where your customer will get a 1% discount for paying in 10 days versus the normal 30 day terms. That 1% may be just the incentive you need to put cash in your account early, putting it to good use. Consider credit card payment options.  You may be able to work with your customers to pay early using a credit card. In this scenario, your customer still enjoys a 30 plus day payment term (since they don’t have to pay their card balance right away) while you enjoy fast invoice payment. You will need to pay a discount to the credit card company – often between 1.5% to 3% - but this is less than the cost to borrow money from a traditional lending institution and puts that cash to work for you faster. Take advantage of invoice financing or factoring.  Invoice factoring, sometimes  also called accounts receivable financing , is where you sell your invoices to a third party – a factoring company or factor – who pays you up front the bulk of the invoice amount and then manages the collections. The factoring company doesn’t charge a huge fee – often comparable to credit card discounts – and you can get your cash fast. Do your research to see if this method is the best choice for your company. Consider a line of credit.  Depending on your company history or personal credit scores, you may be able to establish a line of credit. This would give you access to cash as you need it and before your customers pay their invoices. In this scenario, you will need to be careful to manage this line of credit, using invoice revenue to pay down your balance so as not to get ‘over your head’ in debt. That old saying that ‘cash is king’ is not an exaggeration. Cash is a huge necessity to grow and sustain operations for small (and larger) operations alike. These five tips are just a few that can help you free cash to grow your small business. Image source:  https://www.flickr.com/photos/jmrosenfeld/

As an owner-operator truck driver, you work long hours. You are often on the road for weeks at a time. Being able to take a week or two off to recharge throughout the year is important. Unfortunately, it requires not only finding the money in your budget but also the time to be off the road. Planning When to Take a Vacation Many Americans have the luxury of taking time off whenever they want. They just need to have vacation days saved up. Owner-operators, on the other hand, need to be doing a lot more planning. Your vacations should revolve around freight cycles. When freight demand is high, it’s in your best interest to be running. However, when things are slow, and there isn’t as much freight to be moved, vacations are manageable. January and February typically are the slowest months of the year for freight. If you are looking to optimize your productivity and also your income, then vacations after the New Year are your best option. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take a day off during the summer months, it just means you should be ready to run hard following your time off. Budgeting for the Time Off We often talk about budgeting, or a profit plan here at ATBS, and its importance. By setting up and following a budget you can be confident that you will be spending less money than you earn. If you are planning to take a vacation, then it’s important to be able to pay for it upfront so that it doesn’t cause you to go into debt. One way to plan ahead is by adding a line item in your Profit Plan a few months prior to taking the time off. Unless you have a large amount of disposable income each month, this likely means you will need to cut something out of your budget. This will help make up for the additional amount being allocated to your vacation. Alternatively, you can also choose to increase your income to pay for the vacation. Picking up a couple extra loads each month leading up to your trip could make up for the cost of being off the road. The Bottom Line Taking time off now and then is a good idea for your emotional and mental well-being. Remember that vacation takes a good amount of planning so that you can cover the costs involved and also afford to be out of the driver's seat. Image Source - https://www.flickr.com/photos/34022876@N06/

In this article, we want to share some ways for you to manage your trucking business during an uncertain freight market. Now would be the best time to start looking at your operation and identify areas where you can generate and save money. By following these tips, you can help make sure you get yourself and your trucking operation through uncertain times. In addition, by getting into the habit of managing your business for times like these, you’ll reap the benefits in the future when the market gets steadier. Be Flexible With Your Operation If you have been an owner-operator for a while, you know that the market goes through its ups and downs. You might also know that the best way for your business to operate during good times might be different than how it needs to operate during bad times. With freight rates being uncertain, it’s time to look into how your business will operate best right now. This means looking into different types of freight or areas of the country that you may not usually operate in but might have higher demand during the current trucking market. On the flip side, if you find a market that is helping you stay successful, there is a chance that operating like this isn’t going to stay profitable forever. You may have to be flexible and look ahead to different markets if the one you are operating in looks like it isn’t going to continue to work out for you based on changing conditions. Don’t allow yourself to get trapped in a situation that was once profitable, but is now a place where you won’t be able to make enough money to keep your business afloat. Most importantly, you have to stay informed and understand the market changes as they are happening. You can do this by talking to other drivers about what is working for them, listening to trucking-specific satellite radio shows to stay informed, asking the fleet you may be leased to about freight changes, reading trucking blogs, and looking at data from Truckstop and DAT . Overall, be flexible and know that what’s working in the present may not be what works best for you in the future. Understand Your Financial Situation During uncertain times, it will be more important than ever that you are completely aware of your finances. This means keeping an accurate and up-to-date profit and loss statement and knowing your break-even point. If you haven’t already done these things, now would be the best time to start. Your profit and loss statement will allow you to see areas where your business is operating well and areas where you can improve. From your profit and loss statement, you will be able to come up with your breakeven point, which is how much money you need to make to at least cover your costs. With that breakeven point, you can look at it on a per day, week, month, and yearly basis. With that breakeven point in mind, you need to be realistic with your revenue expectations and know that you may not earn as much as you would during a really strong economy. This means you can't be picky with your load selection. You aren’t going to be able to choose loads based on whether or not you think it’s “cheap freight.” You need to use your break-even point as your guide in deciding what loads to take. Your decisions will have to be made by looking at the big picture and deciding whether or not you’re earning a profit on this load, and if not, is it getting you to another area or to another load where you will be making a profit? Reduce Costs After you have looked at your financial situation and analyzed your profit and loss statement, you will know areas of your business where you are able to reduce costs. One number that will surely jump out at you is fuel, as it’s one of your biggest expenses. Luckily, fuel is an expense that you actually have some control over. Even though you can’t control the price of fuel, you will be able to have some control over how much you are using. We have an entire article dedicated to the top 25 ways for truck drivers to improve their fuel efficiency . These are changes that you will be able to make immediately in order to save money on fuel. Unlike fuel, truck and insurance payments are costs that you may not have much control over. However, there are other non-essential costs that you will be able to try to reduce. Food and drink is one that comes to mind. These are obviously essential to stay alive, but going out to eat every night isn’t. If you can, try buying groceries and cooking for yourself in the truck. Buying groceries can be a lot cheaper, and healthier, than eating out at restaurants for every meal. Other non-essential costs might be unnecessary upgrades to your truck, service providers you aren’t using, and a variety of personal things you might be spending money on that you don’t need. Preserve Your Cash Along with reducing your costs, preserving your cash is important so that you have enough money to make it through uncertain times. Look for all sources of cash in your business and personal life, so that you can increase your cash reserves. You can start by looking for places where you could delay or reduce payments. This can include vendors where you spend money in your business like truck payments, insurance coverages, and maintenance work. Check to see if you can delay or pay for some of these services or products in 60 or 90 days instead of 30 days. Are there other places you might have cash such as excess maintenance reserves, stockpiles of parts or supplies, or things sitting around your house that you don’t need? Make every effort to convert unused things into cash so that you have the money to get through the uncertain times. A good goal to build towards is having three to six months of living expenses in a cash reserve. Build Relationships During uncertain times, forming relationships with people you can trust is a great way to get yourself, and the people you are working with, through to the other side. If you have been using the spot market for a while, now might be the time to look into contracted freight or to look into leasing with a carrier in order to have some security with your freight. The spot market is not as consistent or as reliable during an uncertain freight cycle. Leasing onto a carrier, or forming a partnership where you are on a dedicated route can provide some consistency when things are uncertain. This way you aren’t going week by week not knowing if you are going to find a load on the spot market that is going to earn you a profit. By leasing with a carrier, or having a dedicated route, you will not only save time by not having to find loads on the spot market, but you will feel a little more confident that you are going to be able to make enough money each week. It may also be a good idea to form a relationship with a business service provider that knows the trucking industry, like ATBS, to help you run the business side of your trucking operation. This is the best way to make sure you are keeping an accurate look at your business’ financials and you know how you are performing month over month. With ATBS, you will also be able to ask questions about how you can improve your business or how your business is operating compared to others. During uncertain times, allow yourself to focus all of your attention on doing what you do best, which is moving freight across the country, and let a business service professional handle all the accounting , bookkeeping, taxes, paperwork, and other tedious back-office duties. Bonus: Don’t Panic Tough times don’t last, but tough people do! The trucking industry, and the economy in general, is a cycle that is going to go through good times and bad times. Just by reading this article, you are helping yourself get through these more challenging times. You can take these lessons learned during the uncertain freight times now and apply them forever to keep your business profits maximized during all cycles By following these ways to manage your business during an uncertain freight market, you will hopefully feel a bit more confident that you will be able to get through. If you are feeling concerned and need somebody to help you better manage your business during the changing times, feel free to give us a call at 866-920-2827 or send us an email at info@atbs.com . We want nothing but the best for those in the trucking industry that we work alongside with!

Bookkeeping is an important part of running your business as an owner-operator truck driver. It allows you to keep your financial statements organized and gives you an idea of how your business is performing. As a truck driver, you may have a hard time keeping good records while on the road. That’s why it may be best to look into using a bookkeeping service for your business that works specifically with owner-operator truck drivers. There are many benefits that come with using a bookkeeping service for your trucking business. In this article, we will discuss important things to consider when you search for one. Are you a self-employed truck driver that needs help with your bookkeeping, taxes, or accounting? Click here! Scan and Archive Receipts/Files The first thing you should look for is a bookkeeping service that will scan and archive all of your business receipts and important files. This way you don’t have to keep track of physical receipt copies. The bookkeeper should be able to archive all of your important paperwork in their secure database. Providing your documents should be as easy as sending in pictures , scanning and emailing them, or mailing them to the bookkeeper. ATBS just recently launched the new ATBS Hub , which makes working with us even easier! With the Hub, you’ll be able to scan or import receipts, settlements, and other documents with just a few taps. The bookkeeper will then be able to use the receipts to prepare accurate monthly profit and loss statements for your business. If you ever need any of these files back, a good bookkeeper will be able to easily find and send back electronic copies of the receipts or files that you need at any time. Secure Online Portal The next thing you should look for in a bookkeeping service is a secure online portal where you can view your digitized documents and review your profit and loss (P&L) statements at any time. With a secure online portal, you don’t have to go into an office or call your bookkeeper to access your information. This is especially convenient for truck drivers who are on the road and aren’t always able to go in and talk to their local accountant. With a secure portal, you can log in to your personal account at any time and know that your information is safely password-protected. When you log in to the portal to review your data, you should also look for a bookkeeper that will allow you to call and ask questions without charging extra fees. Industry Benchmarking Another thing you should look for when deciding on a trucker’s bookkeeping service is a company that has industry-specific benchmarking. Ideally, you’ll want to look for a company that works with other truck drivers so you can compare your numbers to similar sized businesses in the trucking industry. Comparing your data to other owner-operators allows you to see the areas where your business is performing better than your peers, as well as the areas where you can improve. A good bookkeeper will be able to use this information to help you figure out where to make adjustments in your business to both earn and keep more money. Tax Reconciliation Looking for a bookkeeper that does tax reconciliation will also be beneficial for your trucking business. A bookkeeper that includes this service will analyze and categorize your revenue and expenses rather than just blindly inputting the data. With high quality tax reconciliations, you will be sure everything has been properly captured and accurately categorized in your profit and loss statement, and if something is missing, your bookkeeper should notify you about any discrepancies. For example, if you utilize a bookkeeper who offers tax reconciliation services as well as industry benchmarking data, they can help you spot expense documentation you may have forgotten to send. If the average owner-operator is spending 30% of their revenue on fuel, and you only show 10% of revenue spent on fuel, your bookkeeper should be able to alert you to the discrepancy. From there they can figure out if you have not sent all fuel expense documentation that needs to be submitted, or if you simply spent less on fuel. Tax Preparation and Bookkeeping - Together Lastly, you want to look for a bookkeeper that will also calculate your tax estimates. As an owner-operator, you have to pay quarterly tax estimates based on your profit. If your bookkeeper also calculates your tax estimates, they are able to use your P&L statements throughout the year to let you accurately know how much your estimated tax payments should be. Paying quarterly tax estimates ensures you don’t pay additional interest, fees, or penalties to the Internal Revenues Service (IRS), and you should always seek out a company that will help you calculate those estimates so you don’t pay more than you should to the IRS. Many preparers simply use last year’s tax return to calculate your current year's tax estimates. However, trucking is an ever changing industry and you need a service that offers current year, timely, tax estimates based on how you are performing now, not what happened last year. Also, having a bookkeeper who prepares taxes makes it easier to file your tax return. Your bookkeeper understands your business and has been keeping track of your revenue and expenses all year - this reduces the chance of errors during tax season since your tax preparer won’t be scrambling to do your bookkeeping all at once. If your bookkeeper and tax preparer work together, they can find all the legal deductions you are entitled to, so you don’t pay more in taxes than you have to. This option is a lot more efficient and more accurate than giving your documents to a tax preparer who doesn’t know your business. What trucker bookkeeping service should I hire? Proper bookkeeping will help keep you and your business on the road. Using these guidelines while you begin your search for a bookkeeping service will help you make an informed decision that will benefit you in the long run. At ATBS, we have helped over 150,000 owner-operators over the past 20+ years run a more profitable business that allows you to spend less time stressing about the books and taxes and more time on things you enjoy. We offer a variety of services including bookkeeping, accounting, and tax preparation, and we understand the importance and impact that these services have on a successful operation. We also offer unlimited business consulting for our RumbleStrip Professional clients. A dedicated business consultant will help you keep your business “between the lines” just like rumblestrips on the highway keep your truck between the lines. If you’d like to learn more about ATBS services or want to get started today, give us a call at 866-920-2827 .

Making the transition from company driver to owner-operator is a big step. You will now be your own boss and will need to set yourself up for happiness and success. There are many things to consider when thinking about starting a trucking business. Before you go down this new path, here are five steps you have to take to start your own trucking business with one truck. Click Here to Download our "Starting a Trucking Business Checklist" Write up a business plan Before you start a trucking business, the first thing you should do is write up a business plan . Understanding how your business is going to operate might change over time, but writing out the basics will provide you with a roadmap. Within your business plan, include things like the type of trucking business you want to run. Are you going to run a dry van operation? Maybe you want to focus on specialized loads. It’s also important to describe how you plan to differentiate your operation from others. Another important aspect of any business plan is your vision for growth. Are you interested in bringing on a team driver or even adding additional trucks in the future? While some of these items might change over time, putting your ideas on paper will help give you a plan you can follow. Decide what kind of entity you want to be As an owner-operator, an important decision you will have to make is the business structure of your company. The three most common types of entities for owner-operators are sole proprietorship, S corporation, and a limited liability company (LLC). When deciding on your business structure, the two main factors to consider are owner liability and income taxation. Each structure comes with different tax consequences so it is important you make your decision based on your business needs. Here is a free e-Book that goes into much more detail on the different business structures. Decide what carrier you want to drive for When a driver decides to become an owner-operator, most will make the decision to start by leasing with a carrier rather than getting their own authority . By doing this, you still have the freedom of being your own boss, but you will have the protection of somebody finding loads for you and paying some of the upfront costs. This means you will have to decide what carrier you want to drive for . A few of the things that should be considered is where you want to drive, what type of operation you want to run, and how the fleet treats owner-operators. Carriers will list what parts of the country you will be driving in and what types of freight you will be hauling. Once you have found a few options based off of your driving preferences, you should do a little research on the reputation of each fleet. Figure out how much they pay per mile, if they pay their drivers on time, if they consistently have loads available, and any other information that is important to you in deciding what carrier to lease on to. Get your own truck The most important thing you will have to do before starting a trucking business is getting your own truck. It will be very difficult to purchase a truck up front, which means you will have to decide whether to do a lease-purchase program with a carrier, or purchase a truck through a truck financing company. Lease-purchase programs are available from a wide variety of carriers. Through this program, you won’t own the truck, but you will be making monthly payments on the truck until the contract is up. At that point, you can purchase the truck or start a new contract with the same or different carrier. While you are in the lease-purchase program, many carriers provide benefits including discounted fuel and maintenance. You can also decide to purchase a truck through a trucking-specific financing company. This way you don’t have to lease your truck through the carrier you decide to drive for. When you finance a truck, you slowly make payments on the truck until you eventually own it. Financing your truck allows for more freedom in deciding what carrier you want to drive for. Hire a business services provider to help start your trucking business Hiring a trustworthy professional business services provider, like ATBS, will help accomplish all of the things you have to do before starting a trucking business. ATBS has been in the trucking industry for 25 years, which means we have helped thousands of owner-operator truck drivers make these decisions. We can help with your business plan, with deciding what entity to choose, and help you determine the best path towards owning a truck. Once you have made these decisions, we can continue to help with all of your tax, bookkeeping , and accounting needs while you focus on driving. We will also continue to be available to help with any business decisions during your time as an owner-operator. Are you a self-employed truck driver that wants to learn more about ATBS services? Click here! --- Over 150,000 owner-operators have made the choice to hire ATBS over the past 25 years. We offer a variety of services including accounting, bookkeeping, and tax preparation. We also offer unlimited business consulting for our RumbleStrip Professional clients. A dedicated business consultant will help you keep your business “between the lines,” just like rumblestrips on the highway.