Started again properly about a year and a half ago when I began college (I'm 20 now - and I'm doing a Business Management degree), and haven't looked back since. You are right in saying that StackOverflow has literally changed the many people learn code because of how vast its library now is (for iPhone especially). Never had any formal education whatsoever — I've only ever read one book (http://www.apress.com/9781430236023), which was a complete beginner's guide. Everything else has been online tutorials (make sure you do your research and corroborate information on which blogs/sites are best to learn from for your chosen language), and Apple's amazing documentation.
As I am still in college, most of my projects are 'side'-projects, but with each iteration they're getting stronger. Collaborated with an SME to make an educational app and now have a contractual and in-house app lined up before Christmas. It's difficult to freelance like this, but the funding (loan) that comes with going to college means that I haven't needed to find a 'proper' job yet.
Never give up trying to learn, if you enjoy doing it. If you don't enjoy it, don't try to learn it past the point of caring. I constantly felt an 'impostor' syndrome-like feeling when working for the first company I worked with, but in reality, consistent hard work for at least a year will put you ahead of most average outsourcing operations for basic stuff. Try and validate your learning, too — keep a blog and constantly ask questions, either on SO or your language's forum of choice. A milestone for me was when I was accepted on student scholarship to attend WWDC this summer. Take it from me, you can achieve something similar if you make sure you don't slack!
I wish you the best of luck.