London family balances public-sector salary, low-profit rentals and growing investment portfolio

In east London, Jia Blackburn, 39, and her husband Tom, 35, manage a household that relies on a £3,600 public-sector salary, a strategy-role income and £3,000 of rental revenue that nets only about £200 after mortgage and tax costs. Their monthly outgoings total over £6,000, covering mortgage, utilities, groceries, transport and family expenses. They set aside £400 for cash savings, £480 for investments, and contribute to both work and private pensions, as well as junior ISAs for their children.

Blackburn began investing at 35 through Hargreaves Lansdown and now shares budgeting tips on social media. She hopes to expand her rental portfolio via a limited company and eventually achieve a six-figure annual income from all streams to secure early retirement and generational wealth.