Masturbation While Fasting

Q: As a teenager I had a bad habit of masturbation, which I sincerely and deeply regret. The urge was very strong and I resorted to this sin even in the month of Ramadaan while in the state of Roza. I would keep the fast as usual, i.e have sehri, and abstain from food and drink until the time of iftaar, but on one occasion would commit this heinous sin. May Allah Ta'aala forgive me. Ameen.
This evil continued for approximately 8 - 10 yrs since I became baligh. Thereafter Allah Ta'aala assisted me to refrain from this sin. Alhumdulillah.
It is a source of constant worry for me, and I know that taubah is not enough to eradicate this evil deed. I know there is qadha as well as kaffarah that needs to be kept. I am however perplexed with how to go about this. My concerns are as follows:

Sighting the Moon for Eid

Q: We here in the Western Cape are split on the issue regarding the sighting of the moon for Eid. My wife and her family have Eid with Makkah and my family and I celebrate it with the local sighting of the moon.
My wife’s father is adamant that what I’m following is the wrong thing, I wish not to argue with him because the knowledge that I have regarding this issue is unfortunately very limited. Please enlighten me on this issue.

Zakaat on Gold

Q: I would like to know the correct method for paying Zakat on Gold. As far as I know we have to pay 2.5% of the total gold we own converted to the currency of the area you are living in.