Stepping up your business

Ok. I've been a Marine, small business owner, and the service manager for an equipment repair company. Those are just my highlights or main jobs claimed in 17+ yrs of working experience. Now I'm doing what I always wondered about and driving a truck. No one has lied to me going into it. Things were just worded to get me in the door and I didn't realize the questions I should have been asking. This site had a lot of good information but as a newby, I don't see much info on proceeding after you're in the door. I know, running all you can and maintaining hours on your clock combined with watching your spending are going to help. But do people actually survive on newby wages? I know there's light at the end of the tunnel by how do you step up the process of getting there? I see a lot of pros and cons to leasing but most people say no way. I can't have a house and a bike making minimum wage, never mind being away from my family 5-6 weeks minimum at a time. So... Any good advice for a rookie serious about making it?! Lease? Team driver? Trainer?