Lost1970:
Sounds like you’re describing me! I also do not work (regularly), my “work” here attests to that. And I have less than you, I don’t have any degrees to pursue. Also I’m not a writer. So you’re ahead of me.
Next. Your three options are not exclusive, as I wrote to you previously. One can be a perfectly upright, God-fearing, righteous, Jew and still pursue a degree. That is called hishtadlus. Nothing AT ALL wrong with it. Just that your motivation should be, as the Rambam says, in order to better serve the Creator. So then it’s considered as a tool for Kedusha. But that’s all for later. Now, it’s just important to know that it’s not going against Hashem’s will at all.
Do your best in your worldly endeavors, and then do your best connecting to HaShem in the Shul and bais medrash (or wherever).
Hatzlachah!!