Consider working somewhere else to make $$. I drove a cab for a while to make ends meet. Its nice to work in your chosen field... but sometimes its impossible.
Keep plugging... Drop ruby focus on java... more $$
So here is my challenge to you... You have to get out and talk to people who own businesses. See if you can go to networking functions. Let them know you're a SW developer, ENTRY LEVEL... you're looking for work in your field.
Call Real Estate agents (they make deals, so they'll be open to it) trade a new website (nothing too fancy) for a referral and a using their site a part of your portfolio...
If you don't any experience make some... UberX is hiring... code, drive, code... I'd love to take advantage of you and hire you for a project I'm doing... but it won't get you to your $5K goal... (i'm really cheap)