Do you hear those jingle bells ringing?

It really is the most wonderful time of the year: neighborhoods aglow in festive lights, music in the air, freshly baked cookies coming out of the oven....

But for truck drivers, it means planning your home time and putting together a budget for the holidays. Whether you're a company driver or an independent contractor, making a holiday budget early on is crucial. Without a plan in place, you may not be able to go home for the holidays.

Anderson Trucking Service (ATS) is a family-owned company, so we get it. You want — and deserve — to spend time with your loved ones during this special season. That's why we've put together these four tips to help you make that happen without breaking the bank. 

Key Points to Consider for Holiday Home Time

• Know the dates you want to be home for
• Communicate early and clearly with your carrier
• Build a budget early and stick to it
• Run hard going into the holidays, but take care of yourself

So, let's get you home for the holidays, yeah?


1. When Do You Want to Be Home?

Before you can start saving for the holidays, you need to figure out which holiday(s) you want to be home for. 

• Company drivers: Your time off will need to be approved, so check your carrier company's holiday policy and get your request in early. Remember: freight never stops, so most carriers have limits on how many drivers can take time off at once.
  
  • Check to see if paid time off (PTO) applies
    
    
• Independent contractors: Talk to your dispatcher early. Let them know when you want to be home and when you'll be back on the road. The sooner they know, the better they can optimize your deadhead and book you closer to home.
  • If something changes with your home time request, be sure you communicate that as early as possible.

Pro Tip: With drivers taking time off during the holidays, freight rates tend to jump. If you're up for it, you could work the holidays and take time off just before or after. More money and home time? Win-win. 

2. Set a Budget — and Stick to It

Realistically, you should always be setting money aside, but that can be easier said than done. Our advice going into the holidays? Start now, if you haven't already (honestly, starting in August or September is ideal), and remember you're budgeting for:

• Holiday expenses: gifts, decorations, food, travel
  
  • Setting a per-person gift budget is a great idea
    
    
• Regular expenses: mortgage/rent, utilities, other bills
  • And if an independent contractor: truck/lease payments, insurance, and downtime for when you're off the road

Think about the earliest holiday you’d like to be home for. Make a list of all your expenses and how much money you’ll need to save by then. Then, figure out how much money you'll need to set aside each paycheck to make it happen. If you plan to celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas, for example, establish a budget for each holiday. 

Just make sure you create a realistic budget. We know you want to shower your loved ones with gifts, but you can still make them feel loved and appreciated while sticking within a budget. Here are some tips:

• Ask your carrier if a holiday bonus applies and how to qualify for it. Don't assume it's automatic
  
  
• Set up a savings account (reserve, escrow, etc.) where a portion of your pay automatically goes in
  • Company drivers: establish a secondary bank account and deposit a set amount of money weekly
    
    
• Track your weekly spending on the road (food, truck stop visits, personal items) and take advantage of reward cards and apps whenever you can

Pro Tip: If you’re an independent contractor, drive smart. Follow fuel-efficient practices and perform regular preventative maintenance on your truck. Doing so reduces the risk of costly breakdowns when you'd rather be at home, kicking back egg nog (Of course, you should be doing this all year long, but especially during the holiday season).

3. Boost Your Earnings

So, we've covered how to save money, but what about making more of it? 

Well, we touched on this, but the key is — brace yourself — stay rolling. I know, right? Pretty groundbreaking stuff. But it's true. If you stretch your road time, stay open to freight opportunities, and maximize your Hours of Service (HOS), you'll go a long way toward earning more. Here are a few more tips:

• Communicate. Let your dispatcher know when you're empty, headed home, or of any delays. They'll help position you for the next load to keep you moving
  
  
• Plan trips effectively to avoid unnecessary downtime

Independent contractors: Don't over-purchase fuel. Every dollar put into fuel is a dollar not used for savings or home time. Fuel for the load, instead of filling up your tank every time you hit the truck stop.


4. Don’t Burn Yourself Out

Working hard for home time shouldn't come at the expense of your health or safety. Your physical and mental well-being matter. A lot. When you're thinking clearly and feeling good, you drive safer and smarter.

Driving safer and smarter means not cutting corners or pushing through unsafe conditions, especially when roads start to turn icy and snowy.

If you realize you can't afford to go home for all the holidays you'd like, just stick with one. Ultimately, choosing one holiday over another can help you hit your financial goals sooner and make the home time you do get more fulfilling. It’s a personal and difficult decision, but at the end of the day, you have to do what’s best for you, your family, and your business. 

Last Stop: Enjoy the Holiday You've Earned

Planning ahead and setting a budget is essential for truck drivers who want to take home time during the holiday season. By scheduling in advance, creating a budget, and sticking to it, that well-deserved holiday at home becomes less of a dream and more of a reality. 

Additionally, finding ways to save money on the road and maximizing earnings through proactive trip planning will set you up for financial stability during the busy holiday season. But first and foremost, remember to prioritize your health and don't overextend yourself in pursuit of these goals.

At ATS, we're here for you. We want you to enjoy the holidays at home, surrounded by loved ones, so you can return rested and ready to roll.

Safe driving, and happy holidays from all of us here at Anderson Trucking Service.