Freelance may not be as bad an idea as it sounds. I know several people in my area that are looking for flight training, and two of them already own an airplane as odd as it sounds. I also know of two flight schools that are willing to let you train as a freelance CFI in their airplanes as long as the rental fee is paid. You bring your own students to the party. So, if I were in your shoes I would beat the pavement looking for students. With or without an airplane you can probably teach them somewhere somehow. Call around and propose a deal with local FBOs and/or individuals about using their airplanes. You will probably still need to fix gutters and hang drywall part time to make ends meet, but you will keep building dual given and total flight time if you really work at it. Obviously you should not go this way expecting to make a fulltime living but it will get you through thin times.