I think Inner has a good point, 1500 tt really is not enough at the moment to see you get a phone call from the airlines. Time on type and current is always where you need to be aiming for.
The market changes so fast, for the better and then worse, then better again. I hope the market changes for the better soon, but until then keep current and do what hours you can.
Paying to fly is fine if you have the spare money and happy to take a chance of finding work after it finishes.
Good luck to you anyway.