Self-Teaching on Guitar?

I have been playing guitar for 1 1/2 years now, and I have only had a few lessons. It is far too repetitive, and WAY too expensive for me... I am left with teaching myself on guitar. Are there any ways to boost progress WITHOUT watching online videos/looking up tablature? People say I am pretty good for 1 1/2 years, but I definitely see no progress since a few months ago... Any tips? I will recall your words of wisdom, if your advice helps me into the music industry... Some friends like I said think I am really good, and others don't think I will get anywhere in the music world. I know I have asked about "speed." But this is more focused towards in general... Is there a magical workout for my fingers that will unlock EVERYTHING, and allow me to express my emotions (what few I express) as I pick each note as I move around the fretboard at the speed of sound? Or am I stuck at turtle speed with my self taught progress? So far, all I really do is listen to a song, and try to figure it out by ear. I successfully did that with the following songs. Otherwise, I look up & print the tabs...

-"Moby Dick" Led Zeppelin

-"Rock And Roll" Led Zeppelin

-"TNT" AC/DC

-"It's A Long Way To The Top" AC/DC

-"Ich Will" Rammstein

-"Sweet Emotion" Aerosmith

-"Kings And Queens" Aerosmith

-"Shout At The Devil" Motley Crue

-"Come Together" The Beatles

-"Tom Sawyer" Rush

-"2112" Rush

(note; my soloing sucks, and I fail whenever I try to improvise...)