This should come with a huge YMMV. The demand for programming skills varies across locations, skills and age. Certainly you can be an unemployed programmer but

This should come with a huge YMMV. The demand for programming skills varies across locations, skills and age. Certainly you can be an unemployed programmer but adjusting locations/skills can greatly improve circumstances. ODesk/Freelancer gives you very little control over demand and hence, you are just a commodity. I've yet to see anyone doing well out of it from a contractor side but plenty of people doing well who need cheap contractors fast. Understand the market or someone who does will take advantage of you...