Its been said but I'll say it again: make a budget based off your 75hr guarantee minus about 20% for taxes, and live within that. Anything you make over that is great and should be saved or used to pay down debt. Pick up opentime if it is available and you need the $$$.

Don't blow your per-diem at the bar. Set a daily budget for food (mine is usually $20/day) and bank the rest. Also, don't spend $4 a day at Starbucks on fancy drinks when a grande coffee is less than $2. DON'T SKIMP ON THE VAN DRIVER TIPS.

Take food with you on the road. PBJs, apple sauce, Chef Boyardee, microwavable soup, tuna, Cliff and Powerbars, almonds are all good. Take a small amount of food from the hotel breakfast if able (yogurt, fruit, oatmeal, granola bars, etc). Avoid high-sodium foods as much as feasible, although travel-friendly foods like soup tend to have a high salt content.

Cook your own meals when at home. Chicken is great, low fat and high in protein. Also remember to eat pasta, fruits & vegetables, milk and eggs.