I have pretty much always gone the latter route, for better or for worse. Damn bills. :/

There's the third option? It is a real thing that it's easier to find work if you're already working, so if you're jobless right now, grabbing whatever position to get some income right away (and, ideally, a schedule that allows you to keep looking) means you don't have to tell hiring people you're currently unemployed and can give you a bit of a leg-up on getting a job you actually enjoy. The end of next year is still a ways away, after all. Regardless, good luck! Job hunting is the worst.