colbertnation

The job security for teachers is not what it used to be. You'll make enough money, but you would not get rich. You career would be longer and you can work into your 60s.

As a contract worker you're not going to make much money. You have to retire earlier so you better be sure you saved up enough.

If you have experience with contracting, your craft is decent, you know how to find customers, and you understand project management, you can make pretty good money as a contractor. It's sweat money, for sure. As you get older you can assign all the grunt work to your workers so it would be easier on the body.