50I’m now fifty and it’s almost like when I turned forty. I had nothing, then started driving a truck. At fifty, I’m trying to get out of trucking without losing everything again. It’s not working so well. At forty, it was through my own stupidity, this time will be different. I need a career change, not only for myself, but for my marriage and the rest of our financial well being.

Trucking has become a black hole. The truck always needs something, the generator that’s supposed to be saving me money, is costing more than it’s saving. I’ve always said, it’s not how much you drive it’s how much you make. I’m making less here because of all the bobtail and empty miles that are paid different than loaded.

At forty, I had no choice during my career change, at least this time I have a choice and actually have some sort of plan. Several of the other truckers whose blogs I read, are going through tough times as well.

Last time I really lost everything, house, car, wife, job, savings, retirement, everything. Trucking happened at the right time. I had a place to live, it was kind of small and all the work I could handle.

This time will be different because I’m not technically losing everything. I have a house and a hard working, wonderful wife that is willing to support me during this transition.

What if she loses her job? She hands out food stamps and sadly, business is booming. The plan is to go back to school full time, (go back? I never went. Except for high school, that was it) and work part time until something comes up. She still has her CDL and worse case we go back on the road.

What if trucking turns around and you’re making money? I’ve got to get home. Staying out three, four, five, six weeks at a time is no way to have a marriage.

This company and other companies that do show business are good for teams and singles with no homes. We were living like that once, but not now. If we have to again, we will, but for now, I’m going to be trucking until the time is right.