Re: degrees. There are two good reasons to do a degree.
(1) You're absolutely fascinated by the subject.
(2) You need it for a specific career.
If you tick neither box, don't do a degree (and I teach on degree courses at several universities so if anything have a vested interest in the opposite).
If you want a backup plan, do something that you can get immediate work with, such as short order chef, pool lifeguard, nursery teacher, motorway recovery driver - you get the idea. Those are genuinely useful things and you can probably get work very quickly if you need it.
G