60k a year, single, 23, nothing to show!

[autoxer]

So now, any suggestions? I think I've minimized expenses pretty well, but thinking of getting a PT job (you know really just wanting to put the shovel to my face

Your automobile expense is not minimized. Neither is your phone.

Are you still paying interest on the credit cards?

My only suggestion is to track your spending and track your net worth.

[LittleMissSplendid]

I think giving you little bits of advice like "find a cheaper phone plan" would be fruitless. To be brutally honest, I think you need to sit down and figure out what it is that you really value in life. Then you can begin the process of bringing your finances in line with your values.

I second this. I think it is great that you're able to look back at your early 20s and realize how blessed you were and things you should have done differently with your money. Those are called life lessons and they're invaluable. I too live in California as a single person (and yes a car is required here unless you're lucky enough to walk to work) and it is completely possible to live comfortably on a net income of $3100 a month if you're clear on your priorities and stick to them. You're probably going to have to sit down for a few months and track where every single dollar goes, then review, and then decide what is important to you and adjust your spending accordingly. It's not fun or easy, but doable and the forums here are great for support/venting.

[snafu]

Suggest using mint.com to track every dollar. How much are you spending on transportation including daily operations and you always need a sum set aside for regular maintenance. Food seems high, cook at home, brown bag lunch and give yourself an allowance for entertainment. What are you spending on grooming and wardrobe? Great real about living within your means to avoid adding even more regrets. How much will you need to pay on SLs, what interest rate,
how long?
just my .02 of random, unedited thoughts.