[gexla]

I'll vote for #1 and starting something on the side. The time constraint may give you more focus and you won't be gambling away more time and money on an uncertain path.

Some people seem to have a knack for getting right to the point of what needs to be done in hustling an idea and making money on it. For others, it's way too easy to spin the tires and get nowhere for weeks, then months on end. At a certain point, the feeling of getting nowhere becomes a drain itself and the likelihood of not finishing grows.

You don't want to find out which category you are in while burning through savings. Better to start with constraints which force that sense of urgency (lack of time.)