"I am a young software developer.
more coming soon..."
You're god damn right. Income? Who needs it? Do something awesome that you are passionate about. Everything else will flow from that.
"Do something awesome that you are passionate about." I've donated quite a few hours just building applications with friends. There is no better feeling being productive, working on something awesome with interesting people. Only recently did I decide to stop working for free because it was a necessity (and a few articles convinced me not to as well).
Passion may be working for 3 - 6 months to save to go to a development bootcamp or just working through it. I know several have programs to get financing to do it, if that is a possibility.
I've hired people from dev bootcamp and can say these programs are worth it. Just be smart about it.
If you are passionate, then dedicating several months to save money to go to one of the schools by taking any job while staying sharp should be worth it. To the point, you are 18 yrs old and can take the few months now of working a whole to set up the rest of your life.
Just don't go in debt. That lasts awhile, and I'm sure there's plenty of people here who have been in it through a bad startup.
I can share with you that my passion has not always paid me dividends but has taught me much and has led me to the right experiences that led me to jobs that have paid me well.
Do some that you give a shit about, even if it makes no money right now... gain experience and in the long run experience will make you money.
If you're 18 you probably have no liabilities at this moment other than to eat and keep warm. Know that that makes you _free_ and there is nothing more enabling than being _free_.
You have a skill, find someone who needs your skill and ask them to pay you more than you think you are worth - chances are you are underestimating yourself. Never apologize or downplay your skill or experience. Hustle.