Category: entertainment

Downtime Entertainment: Fun and Games on the Road

Posted on October 25, 2016 by - diet, downtime, entertainment, exercise, expresstrucktax, fun, games, mental health, on the road, truck drivers, trucker health, trucking nation

Fun and Games on the Road
Fun and Games on the Road

When you’re out on the road, you have enough troubles to contend with.

Over the years, we’ve encouraged proper health through diet and exercise, but sometimes you need to give your mind a workout.

So we asked Susan, one of our truck tax experts and our resident Queen of Sage Advice, about how truckers can work their mental fortitude while on the road.

Here’s what she had to say:

You may spend most of your driving time in your own head. When you park at the end of your shift, all you want to do is decompress with some guilty pleasures, like binge watching TV shows or movies. But it’s much healthier to get out and about doing something physical (walking), social (talking with someone while you walk), or learning something new (juggling maybe?).


After some physical exercise, consider working that grey matter in your head with some games and puzzles.

Studies have shown working your body will increase oxygen flow throughout your system. They also show engaging in mental play can also be good for your overall health and well-being.

Putting the Pieces Together

With its birth around 1760, the jigsaw puzzle is a good way to work those brain muscles. Either done solitary or with a friend or two, puzzles have come quite a long way from its rudimentary beginning of paper on wood.

From small (100 pieces or less) to colossal (record breaking 24,000 pieces) there is a picture and number of pieces that will work for you. Puzzles can be kept with a puzzle keeper, found in many big box stores, or use a roll of felt to keep the pieces from moving around. You can even work puzzles online, use “free jigsaw puzzles” in your search.

Consider the Game at Hand

There are all kinds of card games available using standard decks or special decks, like Pinochle, UNO and many others. If you want to really flex your brain, consider learning Bridge, one of the greatest thinking card games around.

Cards can be played in groups or online. If you prefer, there is the ever popular Solitaire, but there are also variations of Solitaire, other than the well known Klondike.

There are books and online sources with instructions, or just look for virtual games where you can play a hand or two with players from around the world.

If You’re Bored, Try Board Games

If you don’t have a physical board game available, take a look at what is available online. Scrabble has a broad online player universe, giving you the opportunity, just like with cards, to meet other game players from around the world.

There are always the classic games that will engage the brain just as well: dominoes, checkers, Chinese checkers (marbles), Bunco (dice), chess, and backgammon. Plus, there are many new incarnations of these games available.

Playing games, interacting with others in person (or online) can be just what ‘the doctor ordered’ to help you remain sharp and focused while on the road. The great thing about these mental gymnastics? You can play anytime and anywhere you park your rig.

When it comes to filing that 2290 HVUT, using an 8849 Schedule 6 for a refund, or filing that VIN correction, the team at ExpressTruckTax.com wants you to know that we don’t play around.

Our system makes it easy and fast to complete your filings. Plus, we are here to guide you through the steps so you can get on with your day.

Give us a call Monday – Friday, 8 am to 6 pm EST – or drop us an email with any questions you may have. Plus, drop in anytime and visit with us on Twitter or Facebook. It’s always nice to chat with friends!

Watch the Big Game Online

Posted on February 4, 2016 by - carolina panthers, denver broncos, entertainment, football, HVUT, super bowl, trucker technology, trucking nation


Picture this – after setting off from the Carolinas, having passed through Denver before reaching your destination in San Diego, you probably have a lot on your mind. Like if you’re gonna become Super Bowl Champions on Sunday. Wait, what? Okay, if the Carolina Panthers were truckers, that’d be their thoughts this week.

Whatever your route, you’re probably going to want to watch the big game. But what do you do when you’re a road warrior in the middle of a haul?

How Can I Watch Online?

Thanks to the inventors of the internet, you can pretty much watch TV anywhere these days. And even better, CBS Sports will be streaming the Super Bowl free on Sunday. If you have a good wireless data plan, or you can get to a truck stop with free WiFi, then you’ll be able to watch on your tablet, phone, or even your laptop. Now if you’re more old school and don’t keep any of those streaming data devices handy, you can try finding a good sports bar that will play the game.

Of course, if you’re home on some downtime, catch it on CBS Sports, Xbox One, Apple TV, Chromecast, or even Roku.

I’m Driving but Want to Listen, What Can I Do?

Well, we know a lot of truckers have satellite radio. If you do, Westwood One Sports will be broadcasting the game live on Sunday. But there are other options out there, as well. Without satellite radio, you can listen to the game on local radio stations that carry CBS Sports broadcasts.

What If I Don’t Want to Watch?

Then don’t watch it! But honestly, there will always be something else you can check out. I mean, if you’re a dog lover, give the puppy bowl a shot. Or it might be time to catch up on some movies you’ve missed out on. Of course, there are plenty of entertainment options for truckers on the long haul.

We normally advocate for healthy eating around these parts, but come on, we know you’re gonna eat some hearty football food. Pizza? Wings? Might as well! Just try to avoid falling into a food coma if you’re still driving. And stay safe out there, there will be an increase in drunk driving fans in four-wheelers on the road that night.

And if you’re rooting for the Broncos, don’t get mad at us for our Panthers shout out. With our customer support located in Rock Hill, SC, we’re just showing a little Panther Pride.

If you have any questions about filing your HVUT 2290s, shoot us an email or call us at 704.234.6005. Who are you rooting for? How do you watch the game? Let us know in the comments!