Just because places aren't hiring doesn't mean you don't send them a portfolio of work anyways. Find a place you want to work at and harass them gently for a job.

If you need extra money troll the bitcoin forums for posts of people looking for small store software to be built or other forums. Troll local craigslist in the 'gigs: computer' section, write and sell ebooks, write android or ios apps for the thousands of entrepreneurs looking to get into the game for enough change to buy a ticket and flee