"With this job I got myself into this nasty living paycheck-to-paycheck situation."

No, no. The job is awful, but that is not what put you in a paycheck-to-paycheck situation. Outside of New York, LA and San Francisco, a single individual can get by and be minimally comfortable on $500 a week. I've done it. When I was younger, I actually had some great times living on $500 a week. I could even save up for trips elsewhere. But having 2 kids changes things. A lot.

Having 2 kids makes it much more important that you immediately go find something that pays better.