My 'ex-father' kicked me out when I was 15. Uncle was kind enough to help me out initially, for which I'm very grateful. By 16, I was making a living. Yes, it's as miserable of an existence as you think. I'm slowly getting my shit together, though. Getting into college this year. Strangely enough, my financial independence is about to come to an end.

I hope you never have to face it, but necessity is the best teacher. When you have no other choice, you discover that you can handle retail just fine. When you can't find a decent-paying job, you find two with a half-decent pay. Just because you know that your bills are not going to pay themselves.