This guest blog post is contributed by Boomerater, a free online resource for Baby Boomers helping you find everything from investment advisors to vacation packages. Seniors for Living contributes its properties to Boomerater’s independent living directory.

A new Q&A discussion from Boomerater’s forums appears here each Friday. In this week’s post, members share their experiences about trading or selling gift cards, paying for grandchildren’s college, and selling a time share.

Question #1: I want to sell my time share in Florida, but am afraid I won’t make my money back. What is the best way to sell a time share?

Answer #1:
You’ll probably only get about half of what you paid. But if you used it for several vacations, you can look at the time you spent there as time you would have paid to stay at resort hotels. You might have luck selling it through the Time Share Users’ Group website.

Question #2: While I love receiving gift cards to purchase items I want or need, each year I receive cards for stores I don’t patronize.  Does anyone know of an outlet for trading gift cards with others who find themselves in the same situation?

Answer:
You can sell or trade your gift cards on http://www.plasticjungle.com . You can sell cards at http://www.giftcardsagain.com and at http://www.giftah.com. Also, you can trade gift items, video games, books and textbooks, gift cards, electronics, etc. at http://www.caretotrade.com.

Question #3: I’ve heard there are some expenses you can pay directly for a family member without being subject to paying a gift tax. I am especially interested in tuition for my children and medical expenses for my parents.

Answer:
You can pay for college tuition as long as you pay the bills directly to the college and medical bills paid to the doctor or hospital are also OK.  Some expenses are not allowed. For example, if you pay for your grandson’s music lessons or help pay to have an addition built on your daughter’s home, the amount you contribute will be subject to the gift tax.

Add your own comments, or find out what others have to say at Boomerater.com.