Was in the OPs' shoes 9 yrs ago, was working for a building contractor 50 hrs/wk and roofing 30 hrs/wk weather permitting. No insurance, pension, 401, holidays, but 2 wks vac. Thought about going on my own, but @ 45yo a pension was looking tempting. So I got a building maint. job with the state, decent ins., 75% pension after 30 yrs, 12 holidays & 3 wks vac. The initial pay was 60% of what I was making, my side work & the wifes' job kept us alive.
Now we're in a budget crunch, so no raises, we have a small pay cut, and the insurance isn't quite as good. I'll trade the money for security.
