Paid Off!

Paid Off!

There are some moments in business that deserve a little celebration. This is one of them. Paying off any major debt is a wonderful accomplishment. Paying off an expedite truck that cost more than a house? That feeling is almost impossible to describe! But we did it. Our truck is PAID OFF!

When we first purchased this truck, we knew we were making a huge financial commitment. Anyone who owns an expedite truck knows these aren't your average vehicles. Between the truck itself, the custom sleeper, and all the equipment needed to make a living on the road, the price tag can easily rival or exceed the cost of a home.

Unlike a house, a truck depreciates while you're paying for it! Think about that for a minute. You're making payments on something that loses value every year, while also paying for fuel, insurance, maintenance, repairs, permits, and everything else that comes with running a trucking business.

There were months when that truck payment felt like just another bill. But there were also months when business was slow, unexpected repairs popped up, or we wondered whether we were making the right decisions. That's the part of business ownership people don't always see. They see the truck. They see the freedom of being an owner-operator. What they don't see is the financial responsibility that comes with it.

According to the American Transportation Research Institute, the average cost of operating a truck in 2023 reached a record $2.27 per mile. When you're running thousands of miles every month, those numbers add up quickly.

Now imagine carrying a substantial truck payment on top of all the other responsibilities of owning a business. That's why paying this truck off means so much to us. It isn't just about eliminating a monthly payment. It's about improving our cash flow, reducing our financial obligations, and giving ourselves more flexibility when deciding which loads to accept.

But just because the truck is paid off doesn't mean it stops costing money. Repairs will still happen. Tires will still wear out. That money we were sending to the finance company now has another purpose to help us prepare for whatever comes next.

That's where financial discipline matters. It's tempting to look at a paid-off truck and think about all the extra money we'll have. But I prefer to think about the financial security we can build with it. For now, though, we're going to enjoy this accomplishment. We've worked hard, made sacrifices, spent countless days away from home, and put a lot of miles behind us to get here.

This truck has been more than transportation. It's been our office, our home away from home, and the foundation of our business. Today, it's ours, free and clear.

If you're still making payments on your truck, keep going. Every payment brings you one step closer to a day worth celebrating. Seeing that balance finally reach zero? Priceless.

Here’s to millions of safe, profitable and PAID OFF miles!

Kelly Plumb