I make around 30k a year and barely make it, people don't seem to realize how expensive it is to just live. Obviously you should try your best to find a good "job" and get as much as you can but the real key is finding people you can trust and love being around to room with, i make around 30k and they make around 30k, suddenly life is half as difficult. That said don't run from your family, the old saying of everyone leaves the nest is fair in a way, but united your stronger, not all families are great, but if you work together, and respect eachother, you can live together.
I make 42k before taxes with rolling my own cigs and drinking mortgage which is like half others I make it by paycheck to paycheck myself and my state has some of the lowest costs of living
It's so true what you said about being stronger together. We always encourage living with parents/family to get financially ahead. You don't need to move out just because you hit 18.
