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Finance questions: There's lots of fun stuff to do for free

By Helen Huntley, Times Personal Finance Editor
In print: Sunday, May 4, 2008

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We asked

What's your favorite low-cost (or free) way to enjoy life in the Tampa Bay area?

Putting in a kayak and just floating around. Great spots are the Hillsborough River at Sergeant Park, Chassahowitzka, the kayak trails at Weedon Island and Cockroach Bay. It is amazing: People pay hundreds of dollars to come here and do this stuff, and for us it's all free. Just put your boat in.

Mitch Almon, Brooksville

Spending time and love with the often-forgotten animals in shelters. What a joy to see how much these animals respond and in return give back their love and appreciation!

Carol Lushear, Dunedin

Disc golf. There are six free courses in Pinellas County in public parks, and there are no greens fees at any of them — just show up and play. They are open from sunup to sundown. This is one of the greatest ways to save money, kill time and have a whole lot of fun for the whole family.

Joe Gagliardo, Clearwater

Geocaching. This modern-day treasure hunt is a great way to get out and explore the area and get some exercise. The object is to find the hidden cache. You can take out a trinket as long as you add another one. It does require the initial purchase of a hand-held GPS navigation aid ($100 or less). Go to www.

geocaching.com for more information.

Phyllis Houser, Riverview

Gardening and painting. I bought a modest house in Port Richey and transformed our yard into a Polynesian garden without lawn to save water. Gardening is always my best stress management. I was an art therapist in a psychiatric hospital to help many patients, but now painting is therapy for myself. Giving my paintings away to family and friends is more enriching yet.

James Lin, Port Richey

Writing. I love putting my thoughts into words and sharing my opinions about most everything and anything. Best of all, though, it costs me nothing to do so, and the satisfaction I derive is immense.

JoAnn Lee Frank, Clearwater

You asked

I had a big capital gain last year and made too much money to qualify for the rebate. Is there any way I can get one?

No and yes. The 2008 tax return you prepare next year will have a calculation related to the rebate. However, the rebate is not taxable and it will not reduce your refund next year.

Congress set up the economic stimulus program so you can get a rebate based on your 2007 or your 2008 tax return, whichever gets you more money. If your 2007 rebate is less than the maximum, there's a chance you'll do better next year. If you do, the IRS will send you the difference.