by patience » Thu 08 May 2008, 08:34:16
Keith,
I don't think it's free. We'll be paying for it in the future, but making the best of it in the great US tradition, I've already spent it!
Actually, we took money from savings with the refund in mind, and put $800 into a good used garden tractor, and $175 for ALL the service manuals for it. $178 for a tandem load of stone on our driveway, $350 for a new LP gas stove, $50 for gas pipe and fittings. A couple gallons of denatured alcohol to treat my stored gas for water condensation, 84 RR ties at $10,25 each for a garden retaining wall. 4 cases of dry mac & cheese, repacked in baggies and frozen to kill any bugs. Some canned black olives on sale at 5/$6. By the time I get some spare oil, spark plugs, plug wires, and filters for the tractor, that will use up the refund.
We got a tax break for our solar PV investment last year, too. That will help fill the 500 gallon LP tank. (cooking use only, probably 10 years worth.)
Local fix-it guy..