The best approach in the current economy is to get the following, in order:
Medical
PPL
Night rating
ATPL exams
CBIR
CPL single engine.
That will get you to within 6 weeks of the finish line (the finish line being MEIR and MCC/JOC) for minimal cost, while preserving your exam passes. Then you just wait it out.
Unless you're Bill Gates, you won't see a multi crew aircraft until you've got your first job, the name of the game is to get to that point.