Expert advice for owner-operators and small fleets — real numbers, real tools, and the business education the trucking industry doesn’t teach you.
Real costs ($15K–$45K), truck comparisons, rates & 90-day plan
Per diem ($80/day), Section 179 & the deductions worth $3K–$8K/yr
Reefer vs flatbed vs hazmat — real pay per mile compared
Pricing, features & which one pays for itself
Real math at $80K, $120K & $180K — plus the 25–30% rule
File your Q1 return or face $50+ penalties per state. IFTA audits go back 4 years.
File in 15 minutes. Step-by-step with worked examples and the 5 mistakes that cost drivers the most.
How fuel tax works, what to track, quarterly deadlines, and how to avoid penalties.
Complete IFTA filing walkthrough with state-by-state tracking and audit prep.
Most owner-operators overpay $3,000–$8,000/yr. Make sure you're claiming every deduction.
Per diem ($80/day), Section 179, fuel, insurance, and the deductions worth $3K-$8K/yr.
Safe harbor rule, step-by-step calculation, and the monthly set-aside system.
Real tax math at three income levels. Self-employment tax and the 25-30% rule.
Free vs paid. Per diem tracking, quarterly estimates, cost per mile. Which one is worth your money?
15 min/Sunday. Track every expense, capture every deduction, save $3,000–$8,000/yr.
Fuel cards, per diem, deadhead reduction, and 4 more moves that save $500+ without hauling extra loads.
$200K take-home requires $455K gross. The niche, rate strategy, and expense optimization that gets you there.
Gross $250K, keep $82K. Full breakdown — fuel, insurance, truck payment, SE tax, and 7 ways to keep more.
Flatbed $2.95/mi. Reefer $2.88/mi. Dry van $2.47/mi. Startup costs, insurance, and take-home compared.
Data center materials $3.50–$5.00+/mi. Steel $3.00–$4.00. Oversized $3.50–$10+. Real rate data.
FMCSA application ($300), BOC-3, insurance, UCR, IFTA — every step with exact costs.
Truck, insurance, authority fees, and operating capital — $30K to $200K+ explained.
Cash flow management, broker relationships, and the mistakes that sink new authorities.
Every step, every cost, and the decisions that determine if your company survives year one.
Lease on: $15K–$20K. Own authority: $30K–$50K. Buy outright: $60K–$120K+. Three paths compared.
MC: $300. BOC-3: $50. UCR: $176. Insurance: $8K–$18K. Every fee from application to first load.
21–30 days best case, 45–60+ with delays. Exact timeline, what causes delays, and how to use the wait.
Load boards, factoring, carrier packets, first loads, broker vetting — the full day-by-day checklist.
Survival (months 1–3), Stabilization (4–6), Growth (7–9), Optimization (10–12). Real income at each stage.
DUNS number, Net 30 vendors, business credit cards — save $15K–$33K on your next truck loan.
Real costs ($15K–$45K), truck comparisons (F-350 vs Ram 3500 vs Silverado), rates by freight type, insurance, load boards, and a 90-day launch plan. Plus our new Hot Shot Startup Guide + Cost Calculator ($29.99) — the complete playbook.
Read Full Guide →$1.50–$2.00/mi standard. Expedited $2.50–$4.00+. Real rates by load type, distance, and region.
Load boards, broker relationships, direct shippers, government contracts, Facebook groups, and more.
The Owner-Operator Profit System: tax tracking, financial forecasting, broker vetting, rate negotiation scripts, IFTA compliance, a full business plan, and 7 bonus tools. Everything you need to run a profitable trucking business — for $109.99.
See What’s Inside — $109.99 →