What should I do with my savings?

Once you've got an emergency fund in place and don't expect to need the money for 5 years or more, that's usually a good point to consider investing some of it, depending on your goals and attitude to risk. Investments can go down as well as up.

How should I invest if I'm just getting started?

Start now! As the saying goes, "time in the market beats timing the market." It does depend on the goal you're trying to achieve, but once you've built an emergency fund, a Stocks & Shares ISA is often a sensible place to start for most people. Worth noting investments can go down as well as up, so it's about matching the account and the risk to your own goals and timeframe, that's the bit worth a proper conversation.

Am I on track with my retirement planning?

How do you picture retirement? Work your way backwards by diving into your expenses and projecting how it might change through retirement. Plan to help your children with a house deposit or wedding? Plan to retire before the state pension age? Factor that all in, then you can calculate how much you need. If you want a rough rule of thumb, some people use a 4% withdrawal rate as a starting point. Take your current pension value and multiply by 0.04 for an approximate annual income figure. It's a simplification (it doesn't account for future contributions, growth, inflation, or how long the pot needs to last), so treat it as a ballpark to spark the conversation, not a plan.

How can I get started with investing if I feel overwhelmed?

That feeling is really common. There are a lot of providers, a lot of funds, and a lot of jargon designed to make it feel more complicated than it needs to be. You don't need to solve it alone or get it perfect on day one. Reach out, and we'll take it one step at a time. My job is to make the complicated simple.

What's the best way to grow my wealth over time?

Consistency. Regular habits, kept invested, over a long period, tend to serve people best over time. Low costs and tax efficiency help you keep more of those rewards. It isn't sexy and might not be the best conversation over dinner, but it's a pretty reliable approach.

What are the benefits of working with an adviser?

You can absolutely do the research and make financial plans by yourself, but it does come at a cost: your time, and uncertainty that you’ve done the right thing. Like an accountant working on filing your accounts, or a solicitor drafting a will, there are things you can do yourself, but you turn to a professional for the peace of mind and expertise.

Alex Bakovljev

Item: Alex Bakovljev
Rating: 5
Author: Verified Client

Newbridge Financial Planning Limited

Minimum savings/pensions: Any amount

0330 038 8942

Based in Belfast

View location

Top Rated 2026

Verified since: April, 2025

4.9 out of 5

30 reviews

WHY CLIENTS CHOOSE ALEX

Alex Bakovljev is renowned for his clear, tailored financial advice, particularly in pensions and retirement planning. Clients appreciate his thorough explanations and personalised approach, which has helped them navigate complex financial decisions with confidence. His ability to simplify financial jargon and provide comprehensive plans has been instrumental for those approaching retirement or dealing with significant life changes. Additionally, his empathetic and accommodating nature, as demonstrated by home visits during challenging times, sets him apart in client service.

AI generated from the text of Alex's reviews

PINNED REVIEWS

"Alex made every effort possible coming to my home twice to reduce the stress. Given my personal circumstances, I am indebted him for his courtesy, empathy and genuine support at a difficult time for me and my wife"

by a verified client in Antrim - 3 months ago

"Alex has been instrumental in planning our retirement requirements, fully explaining all options in a clear and understandable manner, ensuring we both got a chance to as questions and clarify points. Alex has a great manner, not just transactional approach to our meetings. He gives full oversight of what the coming weeks, months & years brings for us from our overall portfolios, and does it all in a warm and friendly atmosphere. It’s a real pleasure to meet up with Alex on our scheduled reviews."

by a verified client in Down - 4 months ago

ALEX CAN HELP YOU WITH

Checking if I’m on track for retirementCreating income in retirementLeaving a meaningful legacyShow more

Checks carried out by VouchedFor

FCA Regulated
Alex and/or the firm they work for (or are appointed representatives of) is regulated as appropriate by the Financial Conduct Authority
Last checked: 11 October 2026
Alex and/or the firm they work for (or are appointed representatives of) is regulated as appropriate by the Financial Conduct Authority
15
Recent Client Reviews
Alex has received 15 client reviews in the past 12 months; 100% of these have been verified
Verified reviews: 100%
Alex has received 15 client reviews in the past 12 months; 100% of these have been verified
Independent Financial Adviser
An independent adviser can advise across a sufficiently diverse range of products to help meet a client’s objectives. They are in no way limited to products provided by companies they work for.
Last checked: 01 May 2026
An independent adviser can advise across a sufficiently diverse range of products to help meet a client’s objectives. They are in no way limited to products provided by companies they work for.
3
Qualifications Uploaded
Alex has added their qualifications to their profile. You can see them by clicking on the ‘qualifications’ tab below
3 qualification certificates available to view
Alex has added their qualifications to their profile. You can see them by clicking on the ‘qualifications’ tab below
Transparent Fees
Alex has added their fees to their profile. You can see them by clicking on the ‘fees’ tab below
Alex has provided information on their typical fees
Alex has added their fees to their profile. You can see them by clicking on the ‘fees’ tab below
4
Positive First Impressions
100% of VouchedFor users have had a positive (4 or 5 star) first experience with Alex (based on 4 first impressions)
100% of users who are not yet clients had a positive first experience with Alex
100% of VouchedFor users have had a positive (4 or 5 star) first experience with Alex (based on 4 first impressions)

About

I'm Alex, an Independent Financial Planner at Newbridge Financial Planning in Belfast, and I specialise in helping tech and engineering professionals get their financial house in order, without the jargon, the hard sell, or the one-size-fits-all approach. Most of my clients are in their 40s or 50s, earning well, and quietly aware that they haven't given their finances the attention they deserve. They're smart, busy people who are great at what they do professionally, but who've never quite found the time to sit down and work out whether their pension is on track, whether their family is properly protected, or what retiring on their own terms would actually look like in practice. That's exactly the kind of conversation I enjoy having. I take a straightforward, structured approach, no waffle, no unnecessary complexity. I'll listen properly, look at your full financial picture, and give you honest, independent advice on what to do next. Because I'm independent, I'm not tied to any particular provider, which means my recommendations are always based on what's right for you. My areas of expertise include retirement and pension planning, investments and ISAs, life and income protection, and business succession planning for those who run their own firms. I'm currently working towards Chartered Financial Planner status, and Newbridge Financial Planning is rated 4.9 out of 5 across 200+ independent client reviews — so you're in good hands. If you'd like a straightforward chat about where you stand financially and what your options are, I'd love to hear from you.

ALEX CAN HELP YOU WITH

Checking if I’m on track for retirementCreating income in retirementLeaving a meaningful legacyMaking my pension lastManaging an inheritancePaying tax efficientlyPlanning my own pensionPlanning retirement in the next 5–10 yearsPreparing for uncertaintyProtecting my family’s futureReducing inheritance taxSimplifying finances later in life

Alex Bakovljev

Newbridge Financial Planning Limited

Minimum savings/pensions: Any amount

0330 038 8942

Based in Belfast

Top Rated 2026

Verified since: April, 2025

4.9 out of 5

WHY CLIENTS CHOOSE ALEX

Checks carried out by VouchedFor

FCA Regulated

Recent Client Reviews

Independent Financial Adviser

Qualifications Uploaded

Transparent Fees

Positive First Impressions

About

Why investment diversification matters in an uncertain world

Protecting your loved ones with a Will

Inheritance Tax gift rule many families may be overlooking

ALEX CAN HELP YOU WITH