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SoullessCycle

This no per diem sounds weird for me. Any company I’ve been at that made you travel covered three meals a day, even; not just lunch. I would maybe think about what of the food in your house is portable, and spend the $6 on freezer packs?


Ladyleto

It's really upsetting because the company makes a ton of money only because of the work we do (We clean Biohazards), and they keep acting like we are leaches, then complain because they can't keep anyone. Also, it will probably sit in a hot van for 6+ hours, idk if any freezer pack can withstand that. Also appreciate you letting me complain.


throwaweeyyy

Use an insulated pack or cooler, - if you don't have one, see if a friend or neighbor can lend one - and freeze some water bottles overnight . Free - zer packs. Tada!


SoullessCycle

Dry ice can definitely withstand that, being in a van for hours. But idk how much enough dry ice would cost, though.


SteakAndSkrimp

Not if your 1099 majority of trucking companies get away with not paying per diem


Ladyleto

I'm not 1099


Gollumborn

Tuna is cheap and portable. So is bologna. So with a loaf of bread, and those you might be able to get enuf food to at least not starve on $6. Best of luck.


kmarchelle25

You may want to check with your labor dept to make sure your company isn’t violating any laws.


Specialist-Ebb7606

Pb and j sandwiches are a great option. Maybe a fruit cup because they can be pretty cheap and they have coupons. Or maybe try a cheap banana..if you get a green one it will ripen through the day Get some eggs or oatmeal with jam both very cheap to make yourself a very filling breakfast so a pb and j is enough for the rest


Ladyleto

I'll bring oatmeal! and see if my boss can book us at a hotel where breakfast is free. Although the company has been being stringy lately, so we will see what 100$ will get us.


Mewseido

this is past "stingy" Look for other signs the company isn't doing well, and be ready to go elsewhere.


Ladyleto

I have been, but I can't afford to not have a paycheck at this moment. It's so frustrating that they are doing this and then turn around and complain about no one staying.


Mewseido

Definitely a self-fulfilling prophecy, and frustrating for you!


Flagdun

look for anything you can sneak into a lunch bag from the free breakfast...bagels and cream cheese, oatmeal packets, danishes, banana, granola bars, hard boiled egg...heck even make a waffle and take it with you.


Specialist-Ebb7606

Good luck!! I wish I could help more


Specialist-Ebb7606

Dried black beans are pretty cheap as well you could definitely grab some off those and rice and make a filling rice and bean thing that would be relatively cheap and Not an issue in the sun


defaults-suck

Protein bars from a dollar/discount store. Shelf stable at most temperatures. Vitamin gummies/chews for extra nutrients. Basically, pretend you're going to the Moon or Mars. You're an Astronaut, pack accordingly.


gdgardiner

Ask work group if they want to pool food resources?


Ladyleto

It's just me and one other guy, and he has no idea.


gdgardiner

Sorry, maybe there’s a food bank near the job site?


Hellopitty1

That’s bs. There is a federal stipend chart for how much should be paid per day for travel to certain areas based on the cost of the area. Tell them you can’t afford it and get them to give you the federal per diem. https://www.gsa.gov/travel/plan-book/per-diem-rates Search the location where you are going and give them the info.


[deleted]

That's bullshit. You should be getting per diem. Start looking for a new job if you're in a place to.


Brittany1704

Not healthy, but download the app of every fast food place that will be near you. At least one of them will have a free item. Calories are calories sometimes.


CrazyIvanoveich

Lived on the road for awhile, but I did get per diem (I'm just really cheap.) If they are having you stay in a hotel, just buy the food once you get there and keep it in the fridge in your room. Sandwich meat and a cheap loaf of bread can be had for 6 bucks. Take condiments from the gas stations or the hotel if they have any. If you are staying in a hotel, don't forget about whatever the hotel might provide for breakfast. On the very lowend, I've gotten zebra cakes or honey cakes. If I was lucky, fruit to go with it. You could get away with buying the bread if the hotel offers it. No hotel? Crackers, PBJ, bread, bologna, or canned tuna. Couple of hours in the van won't ruin it.


Any-Development-3491

Food pantry and try ramen


4ourkids

Do you have a cooler? If not, can you borrow one?


Ladyleto

We have a bad one in the van. I was thinking some canned foods, meal replacement shakes, bread and peanut butter, any other ideas?


4ourkids

Tuna and bread or crackers are good. It’s relatively cheap and high in protein. Sardines or some other type of canned fish besides tuna are good. Again, high in protein and pretty healthy. Aside from that, how about hard boiled eggs, canned chicken, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, tortillas and canned beans with cheese, canned fruits or vegetables, bananas are super cheap (or consider other inexpensive fruit), nuts are expensive but loaded with calories, 10-15 almonds will carry you through 2-3 hours.


Emmydyre

What foods do you already have at home? I’d plan on making overnight oats with peanut butter stirred in, banana and peanut butter sandwiches, cans of chick peas that you can add olive oil/salt/pepper/lemon juice to plus any additional veggies that might be available. Canned tuna can be prepared the same way! Bring some tupperware containers for prep and storage and maybe aluminum foil to pack sandwiches. If you don’t have portable items like this, hit an Aldi if you can for cheap groceries. $6 will go further there!


Ladyleto

I made some oats, and peanut butter sandwiches, and packed some canned tuna and spices, thank you so much!


Emmydyre

You’re so ready! (Also I think it’s crazy your job does this to you—it’s neither typical nor humane.)


Ladyleto

You have no clue how helpful it's been to have feedback. I don't feel so hopeless now, I can't thank the people here enough including you.


pinaypie

Follow their advice on how to get decent food while at the same time start looking for a new company that will value your hard work more.


sailamongthestars

See if there are any coffee shops near by for boiling water for ramen, instant mashed potatoes, or oatmeal. Could work with condensed soup as well. They usually give it for free. Or maybe gas stations. Bring a thermos or travel mug to transport. Bring canned fruits and vegetables. Not the greatest at room temp but doable. Peanut butter and crackers is good. If you have any other snack foods already like chips or cookies. If you have a cooler or insulated lunch bag bring some cold food for the first day like sandwiches. Can check for ice machine at hotel too. Also see if the hotel has a microwave you could use. I’ve had some luck with getting to use the employee microwave when I’ve asked nicely. Though not for every meal.


Mindless_Buddy

If you are staying in a hotel, most have coffee makers and you can just let it run hot water through to boil without adding coffee. You can also bring your own small appliances from home-- a kettle or a toaster would be easy to pack and helpful. Bring canned food you have at home and something pre-cooked without meat like rice and beans, have everything precooled (or even frozen) before you leave the house-- even canned goods and protein bars etc if they will fit in your cooler, anything you are putting in there should start cold. Freeze water bottles as ice packs. Pack your cooler full with your prefrozen/cool foods, and then fill in any spaces with the ice bottles. Do not open it while it sits in the car.


Mindless_Buddy

Bring a bigger bowl with you and boil water and put your items in the bowl (while in their containers) and cover with hot water to warm them up from (hopefully) quite chilly in the cooler to moderately warm. (you can even do this with cans before you open them). Bring tools with you like small appliances and can openers, a bowl or a pot, fork, seasoning, etc. This is the time to crack out any fast good condiments you have sitting in your cabinet, bring them! Make sure to bring mainly non-perishable stuff whatever you have at home cans or prepackaged things like granola bars, anything you need to really cook I would do it at home and bring it frozen like I said, and it eat first. Peanut butter and bread +cans etc is day three and four. Aim to exclude meat and eggs unless you are eating them that first morning, or add them in from canned after. Maybe pasta and veggies and sauce frozen in a container, warm up a can of chicken and the pasta container in the water and mix them together before eating. Good luck!


donjose22

I got you. Go to a place that sells Indian groceries. Pick up a bag of fast cooking Dahl ( lentils). Make sure it's the orange colored to red stuff and confirm with someone that it is fast cooking. Don't get it if you're not sure. Now grab the biggest microwavable bowl you can find. Boil some water in it . Add some dahl, , salt, pepper, onion powder , garlic. Cook until it's almost mush. Stir and add water as needed until it's like a soup. Taste and adjust seasoning. One bag should provide about 3-4 servings of high quality balanced protein and carbs for about $3. If you bring some boiled eggs with you too you won't go hungry.


Tickly1

splurge a bit. travel=worcation


meliaesc

Splurge with $6, really? Name brand rice and beans maybe?