So true - you have to pay for everything yourself. At least when I was a kid, I could turn to my parents for some cash or even sell lemonade for cash. As a man, you have to find money thing for everything yourself.
I started driving in high school. I used to drive my bro's Mitsuibishi Evo on weekends when he lent it to me. I used to use a portion of the allowance I got to cover gas - sometimes I'd be halfway across the island. Btw, I didn't get my license until graduating from high school... But cars are a pain to maintain as an adult especially nowadays when gas is so high!