I know the feeling of feeling stuck or getting nowhere, without Steemit anyway! When I initially looked at mining Steem and found Steemit, I started talking about it and found a couple in my classes who had started already, so I signed up and got myself rolling.
Like you it has helped so much, getting the new PC as one, having a bunch of spare money to help live off or as a backup if I ever need it is another. Steem and Steemit will keep going up and up and I too wish to eventually not need a job. Hehe ;)