Alan Williams's Loose Change Newsletter

Alan Williams

Registered Representative

Williams Tax & Financial Services

Wallingford, CT 06492

Phone: 203-294-1040

Fax: 203-949-1788

Email: awilliams@williamstaxandfinance.com

July/August 2025

Dollar-Cost Averaging

Trying to predict the market isn't usually a recipe for success. In contrast, a slow and steady investing approach may help you use market fluctuations to your advantage as you invest for long-term financial goals. Dollar-cost averaging* can play a part in this approach.

Develop Healthy Spending Habits

Developing and maintaining healthy spending habits seems easy in theory, but prove harder in practice. From the time we earn that first paycheck to receipt of our first retirement check, financial goals change, but smart spending habits hold true. Consider practicing these habits through the times of your life:

Prepare for Almost Anything

Even the most prepared people can't predict when an expensive surprise will come their way or how much it will cost. You can, however, prepare financially for the unexpected by creating an emergency fund to help meet surprise expenses.

Claiming the Lifetime Learning Credit

Higher education costs have skyrocketed over the years, so who wouldn't appreciate a little help paying for them? The Lifetime Learning Credit is a nonrefundable tax credit that can offset the cost of tuition and related expenses at eligible institutions.

Too Good to be True

As college debt soars, so do the number of scams trying to separate you from your money. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reports a sharp uptick in scam complaints since late 2024 when payments resumed after pandemic pauses and Biden's forgiveness plan causing confusion. So, if you have student loans it pays to beware.

2024-2025 Average College Costs

Here are the 2024-2025 average college costs per year according to the College Board's Data and Trends.

Combining Business and Personal Travel

If you run your own company and travel for business, you may be tempted to combine work with pleasure. That 's okay, as long as you don't trip up on tax rules. Your tax professional can advise you as to what you can or cannot do.

Near Retirement

The younger you are, the easier it may be to correct poor spending habits. But no time is more important to nail this financial aspect than when you're near retirement. Because this time of your life may include less income than when you worked, it 's important to start by lowering your expenses.

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