[steve_adams_86]

When I was younger I moved somewhere without a backup plan, and took some seasonal work (which actually paid fairly well), then did some construction (didn't pay so well). The seasonal work offered food and boarding so I was able to essentially vanish, coast on the awful camp food and live in a tent, and save every penny. The construction work, I just rode a bike there and did my bit from 9 to 5. Rent wasn't cheap, but I didn't have a lot of other expenses.

I lived a bit like a bum and had to sacrifice a lot, but it worked. It was temporary. I left where I was because I had a room mate with mental health issues, and rather than subject myself to them (they were becoming violent), I realized I had to take a leap. If I kicked them out, I was inviting trouble for myself and setting them up for a hard fall. If I left, they at least had a space to live and sort themselves out for a while.

This was when I was teaching myself programming. I read books when I couldn't use my computer, but once I could afford a place where I could use my computer, I spent a lot of my spare time doing that, finding freelance work, and getting out of the hard labour scene. It worked out fine. You've got a leg up since you've already got skills and proof of ability.

Good luck. I know it's hard, and it feels like garbage a lot of the time, but you sink in the hours now to get relief later.

Good luck.