Dollars & Sense – April 2009

Updated Mar 3, 2025

Towards a strong bottom line
Last month I wrote about the importance of setting concise written goals. If you want to set a goal of making more money, first you need to know how much money you’re really making. You need to be able to measure the bottom line.

What does bottom line really mean? To generate a profit and loss statement, first list total income (gross revenue) at the top. This is the money you generate in your business before subtracting expenses. Under that line would go expenses – costs like equipment payments, fuel, maintenance, tolls, etc.

Total those business expenses, subtract them from gross revenue, and the result is what’s left on the bottom line – net income, or profit.

Looking for your next job?
Careersingear.com is the go-to platform for the Trucking industry. Don’t just find the job you need; find the job you want with the company that wants you!
The Business Manual for Owner-Operators
Overdrive editors and ATBS present the industry’s best manual for prospective and committed owner-operators. You’ll find exceptional depth on many issues in the Partners in Business playbook.
Access the Playbook
Partners in Business Issue Cover