How I Stopped Living Paycheck to Paycheck 

Of course it's not just a mindset. You're 100% right. It takes hard work. But you can do it!

It IS a mindset but for only one actual reason -- you spend too much on macros and are too proud to find roommates and external help to cut down on them. Solution? grab roommates and people who will help you cut down your macros. Family, close friends. Ignore these finance gurus and popup shop losers who tell you to "work hard". hard work does not solve money problems. Getting higher wage jobs or better salaries will. If you can't do that (wrong place wrong time, shit hiring market, just poor luck), you have to find roommates. It's the only way. I guarantee your highest single payment is to your rent. Cut that in half. Next? Probably insurance or medical bill or, if you're lucky enough that your body isnt trying to kill you, a credit card. Most people aren't gonna help you pay down a CC unless it's like an S/O or something. DON'T fall into some refi or loan shark scam for this -- it's money IN and less money OUT that will save you from debt (meaning, higher payments to cut down on principle so interest doesn't F you in the A and you DON'T turn around and use that card ).