Not sure where the stats come from, but €57k is not even that much in EE. Currently making slightly over €100k in Eastern EU state. Magic word "contracting".
Firstly, maths is just my hobby. I didn't pay much attention in my school years, but later in life I wanted to know more about maths.
I'm a typical code monkey, which does business software and hardly needs any maths, so agian maths is just my interests and I don't foresee using it in my career. I might do more maths when I retire as maths is such a broad subject, it will keep me as a hobby to the rest of my life :).
I'm taking it slow as a) I'm not in hurry, b) I want to have solid foundations in maths. I want to ensure I understand well basics and proofs and where they come from. I also do lots of exercices based on acquired knowledge. "Productivity" is not my main concern :)
Interesting thing I found maths helps me with my work indirectly. In maths we encounter problems such as "a plane flew north at 300km/h and side wind east was 30km/h. After 2h, the plane changed direction 30deg...". You need to find all data and best formulas for the problem. It's like translating customer/project owner issues to technical ones. It's fun!
I wish to progress my maths faster, but I can do only x hours a week and want to do it properly. I'm looking forward to more challenging 21st century maths!
I was in your position as well and my recommendation is to buy a good book.
I personally chose Precalculus by James Stewart and it works for me.
It's a thick 1000 pages book with excercises and tests.
It quite well explains all topics, which you would have in high school (from basic arithmetics to everything you need to start calculus).
I do maths in my spare time (a few hours a week) and I completed 700 pages over past 3 years.
This year I should complete the book and be ready to do more advanced mathematics.
95% is self explanatory (if you focus and re-read) and explains well proofs. When I didn't understand something I found answer on google or asked a few questions on math stack exchange.
My point. You can absolutely do maths on your own. You don't need classes with a teacher, but it only depends what kind person you are and what works for you.
EDIT: Do all exercices and never skip to the next bit if you don't understand something from the previous part.
Thanks for feedback. Not sure if I clarified my question. I already was a contractor (in reasonable rates bracket). I no longer want to work for other business nor gaining employment.
I'm changing focus on working on my own and developing my own apps to sell via Apple AppStore and Google PlayStore.
Hence my question. Is more profitable developing utility apps or games as a solo indie developer.
I'm also from E.Europe and I was in similar position. Was contracting as php dev in UK/London, then moved back to my home country. As someone suggested, the best thing is trying not to be 100% programmer, but also have a little bit of business acumen and trying to get to know companies/people in London while you're there. This way I managed to do some remote work (same rate as on-site). Some companies are willing to pay you well as long as they know you personally and have experience what you can do.
I consider myself as financially independent. I worked for a number of years in London as IT contractor (£400-500pd). Then I moved back to my home country and my hometown in Poland (reasonably affordable, not a capital). I don't have a car and I try to keep my spending to minimum (no fancy holidays, which I don't need. I cook, etc). I try to ensure my spending doesn't exceed equivalent of €500 a month.
I still spend most of the day in front of the computer. The only difference is that I wake up and finish when I want. I work on my personal projects (without aim to make money), which I find more interesting than doing commercial CRUD apps.
My decision was largely influenced by a Danish guy living in the USA, who wrote this blog: www.earlyretirementextreme.com