All these people talking about budgeting as if any more than like 10% of the population can balance one...

This is unsolicited advice, so sorry if you don't want it, but I would suggest not putting so much weight into the opinions of a bunch of people on Reddit. You and only you should be the one whose word has any bearing on your living situation and lifestyle.

If you're not happy with where you're at, just make a plan and work on yourself. It's really hard and takes time. Dating doesn't have to wait until that's done -- getting yourself out there and talking to other people can help to keep things moving. Some people might not be attracted to it; whatever, they aren't for you.

I saw you're interested in various financial and salary targets. I'd suggest framing those as functional/behavioral goals instead: I look at W apartments by X date, I have done Y job interviews by Z. Chasing money for more money will just leave you unsatisfied and frustrated...once you earn 100k, 150k will become the next target keeping you down. Life is not about adding 0's!

Consider a therapist or life coach, too, if you're finding yourself alone or overwhelmed in trying to plan things. Reddit is full of heartless individualists, so yeah...