From someone who struggled through ATPL's through distance education, albeit a long time ago before AFT even existed. DO THE ATPL's!!!! I repeat: DO THE ATPL's. Also, as you haven't got a NVFR, do that too, never know when you might need it, and useful for starting to get those 100hrs night to hold an ATPL. Once you have a job in a remote area, it costs a lot just to get somewhere to do an ATPL course, so do it now whilst you have the time and $$$. The M/E CIR can come later though an initial multi MAY be of assistance once you have some experience under your belt.
