I am still new to the game. I am level 17 already, too quick for my own liking. I pulled the old Oblivion sneak trick and put a rubberband around my control lol. My one-handed is 51....heavy armor 40 and my destruction is 30. I've been taking the perks that increase percentages, blade damage, armor rating etc. I've been putting most points in health and some in magic, not so many in stamina. I'm also broke,any tips on money besides cutting wood?

Anyways, the point is, should I be stronger at this level? Should my one-handed be higher?

You're fine actually. My level 20 Nord has the same stats if not higher than those.

As for the gold, go dungeon diving. Sell jewelry and gems, that'll get you some coin.

Thieves Guild will solve your money issues.

Pillage Riverwood.

Kill everyone and loot all their belongings, then, sell them in The Riverwood Trader

If you kill everyone in Riverwood then how will you sell the items there or is he essential?

Seems reasonable to me. As to gold, grab up everything you can and sell which is how its done. You can also do some earning by asking about work at taverns (ask the owner / manager).

Else you can join the DB or TG and get a good deal of money by your participation in those outfits, but beware - the DB is disgusting.

Lots of favors and side quests in addition to what everyone else is saying.

When you focus on one skill and ignore your combat, defence and recovery skills, the game will level up enemies beyond your ability to deal with them. Or, it will be just that much harder. Same thing can happen with Crafting. You should try to move your main skills up in sync, until the mid levels anyway. Gaining a couple character levels by grinding skill is one thing, gaining 10 levels, that's going to bite you.