Is it possible to live off your investments at the age of 43, with no other income? That’s the question Gianfranco Rosolia, a 33-year-old salesman, is asking. He earns £100,000 a year, has a west London property worth £550,000 and £20,000 of savings in a rainy-day fund.

He pays £2,100 a month in mortgage payments. Mr Rosolia is saving £2,000 each month, but will double this to £4,000 a month in five years when his mortgage is paid off.

This savings pot is currently worth £40,000, but is sitting in cash. His £10,000 worth of Apple shares are his only current investments.

To say he is ambitious is an understatement – his goal is to earn £5,000 a month from his investments within 10 years.

Mr Rosolia concedes this is a steep target, but is willing to consider anything. He said: “I would love to become a buy-to-let investor but I’ve read that the Government is making the environment harder.

“I’m interested in looking at the peer-to-peer market, and anywhere else – I’d like to invest widely and explore all the options.”