I just got back from 'Aviator' and did 50 hours down there (~$5400 with room/board). You will get calls from places like Colgan, Comair, ASA, etc with that much time. Then you can take the rest of the money and sit on it for car repairs, etc.. I think most of the regionals don't mind if some of your time is safety pilot time.

EDIT: Cub, Colgan admin. mins on airlineapps are 300TT/ME ticket.