After reading this I felt like a big waster

This lady makes 12K per year, and gets by. Looking back at my W-2 and comparing my bank balance to that tells me I really need to get it together.

http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/SavingandDebt/LearnToBudget/SurvivingAndThrivingOn12000AYear.aspx?GT1=8996