A mistake that people make is that once people get a job, they just stay there. If you need money, you can try getting another job, or you can continue to apply for jobs, and when you find one that a. isn’t temp and/or b. makes a few more dollars an hour.
I feel you on the rent for an apartment, I live in Los Angeles, I think it’s horrible how much people pay, and I’m moving to Florida once my lease is up. We live in a one bedroom now and it’s 1200 a month (for what LA is dirty, and poor, and poopy. it also has more gang members than anywhere in the world. it’s horrible), I moved from Florida, and I’m going back, where I payed 600 a month for a big two bedroom place.
I wouldn’t say give up “unneeded things” just to save money. Decide what gives you the most value TO YOU. and keep those, if you don’t really care about TV anyway, yea, give it up. But if you give up more than you should, you won’t be happy and there won’t be a point to saving up money if you aren’t going to get anything for yourself.
I’d say go for the job switch/more work hours for now. And still try for a cheaper car. You don’t need a “beater.” You can get a Kia or Toyota in excellent condition for a few dollars
Also, you can consolidate your student loans if they are federal loans by going to www.dl.ed.gov They will consolidate your student loans, and let you increase the time period you have to pay it off (lowering your monthly payment, for now)
I wouldn’t say to rush to move out of your parents house though, get your ish together first. Yea, you may be tired of living with the ‘rents. But it’s way better than scrounging and scraping JUST to make money for the bills every month.