Trucking and truckers, in many ways, are the lifeblood of the American economy. Even as debates rage around fossil fuels and climate change, the need for truckers continues to grow. However, the future of the industry is almost certain to look different than the past. For the owner-operator trying to stay on top ofshifting market realities, it can seem dauntingto try and stay solvent in the seat. Thankfully, there’s no need to abandon your love of the road—or your own independence—just yet. Here are five hacks every owner-operator needs to employ to make sure the coming years are profitable ones.
Use a Factoring Service
While working for yourself has a large number of perks to recommend it, it comes with its own set of difficulties and challenges, too. Yes, you don’t have to take a long haul and miss your daughter’s championship softball game, but you also don’t have a guaranteed paycheck or guaranteed work either. When you’re your own boss, it’s common to have outstanding invoices that might not be paid for a week, a month, or even three months.
In the meantime, you still have to keep buying fuel, feeding your family, and otherwise operating your business. Instead of relying on credit cards or payday loans, turn to invoice financing or factoring. Based simply on your outstanding invoices, it’s a service that can solve your cash flow problems without encouraging the debt relying on high-interest credit is likely to result in.
Mind Your Diet
Trying to eat healthy on the road can feel like a lesson in futility. Aside from fast food, American interstates and highways are almost always an eating wasteland. Still, feeling good and staying healthy is closely linked with the type of food you eat, so you need to come up with a plan that will enable you to make healthier choices. Before you hit the road, locate grocery stores along your route where you can load up on healthy eating options like nuts, fresh fruit, and raw vegetables.
Even if you still eat fast food for one meal a day, eating fresh food the rest of the time will give your health a much-needed boost. Also, skip the energy drinks and soda. While the caffeine and sugar will make you feel more alert initially, they will wreak havoc on your waistline, overall health, and blood sugar. Instead, drink water—a half-gallon a day—and if caffeine is essential, drink coffee, and drink it black.
Get Some Exercise
Sitting in a big rig can make you feel like you’re on top of the world, but if all you do five days a week or more is sit down and drive, that feeling is bound to fail. Add some exercise into your day, and you’ll be amazed at how quickly you feel better. Do pushups as soon as you wake each morning, and whether you choose jumping jacks, jumping rope, running, or walking, get some aerobic activity, too. Aim for 20 minutes of exercise three days a week. You’ll be amazed at how much better your body will look and feel with just that level of regular exercise.
Think Sustainably
Like it or loathe it, fossil fuels are on their way out. Even before the Climate Change Summit in Paris, it was already becoming clear that alternative fuel sources are needed in all areas of transportation thanks to warming temperatures and rising sea levels. So, start to think more sustainably. From more efficient driving practices to investing in a more efficient, cleaner burning engine, changes need to be made if you and trucking are to have a future. Stay informed about eco-friendly options for owner-operators, and be willing to invest when more sustainableoptions make themselves known.
Go Local
One of the quickest ways to ensure you and your one-man company survive coming changes is to take on more local clients. While it may seem like all work is equal, more and more businesses are beginning to prefer working with vendors and suppliers that are local. Not only does it make for a more meaningful business relationship—you’re from the same neck of the woods after all—but it keeps more money in your local economy, which ensures a financial health from which you should all be able to benefit.
Don’t just assume you’ll be driving well into the future. Take these five hacks to heart, and you’ll be ready for anything the climate or the culture may throw at you.
