I feel for you. Let's say that I am on the same boat right now and on the same stage of life. I am also looking for answers on the same question.

That said, I cannot give a good advice per se. But let me say this. Keep at it. Get involved with the developer community.

In fact, there is the SoCal Code Camp on January 28-29, 2012 at Cal State Fullerton. Check it out http://www.socalcodecamp.com/ . I will be there.