If you have an older TV that can’t get the new digital signal you can get a coupon from the government.

This coupon is to pay for a box that will allow your old TV to work with the new over the air digital signal.

Each household can receive up to 2 coupons at $40 each which must be used to get the box to decode the signal.

The government estimate that the boxes will cost somewhere around $50 to $70 per box.

The coupons must be used within 90 days of the date they are mailed to the consumer.

There converter boxes won’t be needed for about a year and aren’t necessary for TV sets containing digital tuners, also called ATSC tuners. These tuners have been installed in TV sets since 2004.

Converter boxes aren’t needed for people receiving their television from cable or satellite providers because their boxes already descramble the signal.

These boxes are only needed on analog TV sets that depend on free over the air signals.

I am not so sure that the government should be supporting TV watching, but on the other hand they are the ones responsible for people not getting to use the TV sets they already purchased because of the new signals.

Tips for taking a home inventory

1. Do a room at a time. Break up the job into smaller parts so that it doesn’t seem so daunting.

2. Make sure you list items and serial numbers. Serial numbers are important if the item is stolen. The police can get the item back to you. Pictures of the rooms and individual items is helpful also. Attach any receipts or appraisals that you may have for the items in the rooms.

3. Update the list periodically when you get new items.

4. Keep the list of the item list, pictures, receipts and appraisals in a safety deposit box outside the house in case anything happens.