I'm happy to read that steemit is helping to make ends meet. There's a lot of talk about 'cashing out' right now and it's something to consider if it's needed. The ability to exchange STEEM for actual cash or product is fantastic. It become much more real when you're holding a tangible object that has been earned by blogging and commenting. @ironshield
Last year I had no plans to cash out, everything went into SP and the race to high SP was on. This year I'm more practical, I'll grow over time but for the time I spend here I need to see something for it. Not speedboats and fast cars but just an easier life - not having to struggle to make ends meet.
I know I'm not the most prolific poster here, I work far too many hours but if I can make it contribute just a little then it because more realistic to spend my time here.
One day I hope that the money from Steemit isn't going to fighting fires in my life, but instead into a fund for improving it - a better life rather than a less worse one. :)