Life Happens 365 - Are You Managing the Risk?

By Diane Tait Image courtesy of YouTube Marriage is a tough proposition in the modern world from the outset.   First there are the statistics that report that a third of marriages in the US result in divorce in the first five years and nearly 50% within 10-years.   Then there are 101 reasons why marriages go south these days.   Everything from infidelity and financial hardship to health issues and unrealistic expectations are just a few things that can quickly derail the marriage train.   The reason I bring this issue up is because there is a demand in the trucking industry for husband & wife driving teams.   While such teams are highly sought after and well compensated, I thought I’d take the time today to write about the pros and cons of the situation

By Diane Tait Image courtesy wikimedia Autonomous vehicles are all the rage these days.   You can’t turn on the TV or fire up an online newsfeed without hearing or reading about an auto manufacturer that is putting billions into developing self-driving car technology.   Even Tesla is now spending big bucks to develop automated big rigs.   With this in mind, the commercial trucking industry is in for a rethink on a massive scale in the not too distant future.   The question is, how will this new technology affect the livelihoods of the 3.5 million professional truck drivers in this country. 1.       Invasion of the Robo-Rigs? –   Since 2017, the Internet has been abuzz about the coming age of the robo-rigs.     These 18-wheeled behemoths are supposedly the vanguard of a myriad of other driverless commercial vehicles that are predicted to invade the highways and byways of this country within the next few years.   The bad news is that with Fortune 500 companies ready shellin

By Diane Tait Image courtesy flickr Everyone’s looking to go green these days.   Whether it’s switching from incandescent lights to compact fluorescents or buying hybrid cars to reduce your carbon footprints, many people are willing to change their habits just to try to help the planet.   Some of us who are really interested in minimizing their impact on the environment choose to ride our bikes whenever possible, or even to commute to and from work via bicycle.   While this is a noble gesture, it doesn’t come without some related risks.   Let’s face it, when was the last time you saw a Schwinn equipped with seat-belts and air bags?   Also, while Jacksonville has the perfect weather for nearly year-round bike commuting, it’s streets are anything by bike-friendly.   Sure, there are narrow bike lanes on some streets, but that doesn’t mean that most motorists in town are vigilant when it comes to 2-wheeled vehicles, especially those with a top speed of 20 MPH.   To give all you c

By Diane Tait Image courtesy PxHere Is it better to own or lease?   That is the question.   At least it is, if you drive a commercial truck.   While many truckers dream of the day they can proudly proclaim themselves an owner-operator, the reality for many is the math doesn’t always add up.   Let’s take a look at the metrics. 1.       Can you say sticker shock? – To start with, semis don’t come cheap.     If you’re looking for a bargain, you won’t find one in either a new or a used truck.   Expect to pay $100,000 or more for a commercial truck.   Add another $25,000 if you want to add a sleeper.   Then there’s the cost of the trailer, which will set you back another $50,000 for a standard rig.   Specialty trailers can cost you even more.   While a used semi with a lower price tag might seem like a bargain, expect to pay higher maintenance costs.       2.       It’s a gas, gas, gas – If you want to own a big rig, you also have to feed it and it eats for forty.   The r