New Year, New Adventures!

New Year, New Adventures!

Trucking brings many adventures throughout a day, week, month and year. This year has not disappointed. We were scheduled to pick up a load on Monday when, surprise of all surprises, an unexpected adventure presented itself. When unexpected situations arise we have to handle them quickly and efficiently. We had to give up the load that we were getting ready to pick up and also missed out on another opportunity for later in the week. Not to worry. We are all good. Our year will begin when it wants. And we will be ready.

Last week I spoke with a friend that team drives with her spouse. Their previous year ended on as sour a note as our new year has begun. This friend reached out for advice as to how to handle their specific situation. I gave as much guidance as I could. She was grateful.

This made me wonder what other owner operators do in an emergency. Unfortunately, I have known several teams who have been in accidents that were no fault of their own. One situation even required a helicopter evacuation due to the nature of their injuries. Are you prepared financially for such a situation? Are you financially prepared for truck repairs or replacement? Are you financially prepared if you cannot drive for a long time or maybe cannot drive professionally ever again?

We have been trying to find a work, life balance. We had started that last year and are hoping to continue this year. Unfortunately, two years of no business growth and lower rates have caused some of our savings to disappear. I am beginning to understand what I have witnessed with aging parents and siblings. Retirement seems to be less about enjoying the "golden years" and more about spending social security money or retirement funds on healthcare and getting by. Is this really all that there is? Why are we working so hard to "get ahead" when getting ahead only seems to get us further behind?

So now I am trying to understand why this year began the way it has. I am the type of person that believes that everything happens for a reason. Usually, the reason becomes obvious in a rather short period of time. This time; however, I am not so sure. What I do know is that we are blessed to have access to funds that will get us through a tough start of 2026. We are even more blessed to have a strong support system of family and friends that will be there for us in one way or another. I pray that everyone reading this has a plan and a support system as well.

Here's to millions of safe, profitable and PLANNED miles.

Kelly Plumb