I left when I was 18. Went to the Navy and haven't looked back since. Some people state that I moved in with my girlfriend when I got out of the navy, but:
I put my name on the lease my first day home from the Navy
I paid the rent every month
I paid almost all of the bills
and when we broke up I paid for everything.
I didn't have it easy, but I did it on my own without help. Even though I struggled, almost getting evicted twice I made it.
My dad (who didn't pay child support since I was 12) let me "BORROW" $800 one time so I wouldn't get evicted. Saying that he wanted me to pay him back and that he didn't want to hear about what he didn't do for me as a kid. I hope he didn't think he was really getting that money back (not after I had to suffer with shoes with holes in them in Junior High, 3 outfits to start the first 3 months of 10th grade and countless other struggles from my youth). That was 6 years ago and he hasn't seen a peny. Shit, I haven't talked to him since then.
Aside from that I have been on my own. I worked temp agency jobs to make ends meet. I had one job that required me to be there from Noon to 8:30. I would leave home at 9:45 to get there on time, and get home at 10:30 on the bus. that was 4 hours and 15 minutes travel to get there. I was only late once in three months when my buses didn't connect.
You gotta "Get up, get out and get something. Don't let the days of your life pass by..." - Outkast
Now look at yourself. Are you an Outkast. I know I am. As a matter of fact, fuck being anything else