Becoming self-employed - how much do I have to earn in order to be able to keep EUR 1000 or EUR 2000?

Initial situation: 1800 gross income at 42.5 hours per week (approx. 1301 net). 32 years (without children). Born in Thuringia (East), where I still live. Statutory health insurance: AOK Hessen. + approx. 800 euro (ancillary business).

Question: How many euro do I have to earn per month (in the case of "full self-employment") in order to get to 1000 euro that I can really keep and how much can I keep around 2000 euro?

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Info: With rent and ancillary costs (approx. 390 euro), contracts (such as internet, server, Sparkasse, Netflix and Prime [approx. 65 euro]), cigarettes (unfortunately I'm a heavy smoker [approx. 210 euro]), groceries, detergents, Barbecue on the weekend, take the bus, etc. (approx. 280 euro), save 25 euro (for things that might break), 30 euro for a few days camping on the Baltic Sea per year. I would have to have at least 1000 euro per month in order not to have to restrict myself.

History: Not long ago (approx. 8 months) and the time before that, I had 1600 gross and approx. 1179 net in my job with the same working hours (42.5 per week [09:00 to 18:30 - 1 hour break).

The many hours for little money and a lot of unpaid overtime prompted me to do a sideline (about 22 months ago). Things got off to a slow start in 2019, for the first 2 to 3 months I earned next to nothing… By the end of 2019 I came to around 1200 euro despite many weekends and evenings with a lot of work and little sleep (around 25 hours the week next to my full employment as an employee).

The first 3 months of 2020 did not want to be a major success either, but then the lockdown came (COVID-19 / SARS-CoV-2, I don't think you need to mention more).

I still had the job and the working hours didn't decrease, but since I was able to work in the home office, I suddenly had 3 hours more time per day (way there and back [to and from work]). That was 15 hours a week that I could invest in my own work.

From then on, things slowly improved and even after the first lockdown, things continued to improve, even if I only had 25 and not a full 40 hours left for my own projects.

Now we're in the second lockdown, where I have more time for my project. I was able to increase my monthly income to now 800 euro per month (from approx. 1200 euro in the first 9 months (approx. 133 euro per month). Of course, a few more euro will go to the tax office, but I will certainly be 500/600 euro I'm interested in at least 35% in rapid growth and put at least 65% (all the remaining money) away as if it wasn't mine at all. Only when, after I know from the tax office how much I have to pay (of it I have to give up), I wonder what I'll do with it.

Even after lockdown number two (February / March / April 2021) I have less time, my income will gradually increase. But I don't want to work 67.5 to 82.5 hours anymore and play with the idea of being fully self-employed.

My goal is at a stable 1000 euro per month (where everything has already been billed (health insurance (statutory and not private (otherwise it will be really expensive, shortly before retirement, then better to spend a little more money now), unemployment insurance (to just in case to be covered [think about 14 to 18 euro per month]), taxes and, if necessary, care insurance to be on the safe side.

I looked at many pages where you could calculate your expenses, but there were sometimes very significant differences… In the end I was so confused that I registered in the forum to maybe find a nice expert who could help me (to at least 100 euro enough) can calculate.

My first goal is (as I said) to be able to keep 1000 euro per month. I also only want to work 30 hours a week.

My second goal is to be able to keep 2000 euro for 25/30 hours a week.

In the last few years I have restricted myself very much (in terms of my free time, and still do so). Basically to do the opposite.

You only live once and before the curtain falls at some point, I would like to spend more time with beautiful things and also improve my quality of life a little (eat healthier, go for a walk during the day, have time for a dog again (which unfortunately is currently not possible)) and enjoy the sun and only go about my work in the evening).

I don't have to drive a car, I don't need a new smartphone or the largest television in the world. I just want to spend more time with other people (family, friends and my girlfriend). Own a dog and have time for your little four-legged friend.

Thanks for taking the time to read.

Further information: The income comes from YouTube (partner program) and Amazon (partner program). Since the funds come from Ireland and Luxembourg, I do not receive any VAT.

I don't sell anything myself, but neither can I do it freelance! That was how far I was at the tax office.

The bills are manageable.

I get 2 transfers a month. My expenses are basically only the server costs, electricity and coffee / energy, since I have collaborations with other affiliates and YouTube partners and now and then one (if a lockdown is not over, plan new projects). I can certainly sell coffee, but I'm not sure about Energy (the stuff is very popular with my guests).

Info: Energy is actually just water, sugar, taurine / niazine and a few B vitamins are also included.

Then I still have server costs of 9.95 per month, which I was able to settle without any problems last year.

That's it…