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NewsJULY PRICE RISES MAKE ENERGY THE #1 COST OF LIVING ISSUE FOR OVER-50S
JULY PRICE RISES MAKE ENERGY THE #1 COST OF LIVING ISSUE FOR OVER-50S

JULY PRICE RISES MAKE ENERGY THE #1 COST OF LIVING ISSUE FOR OVER-50S

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Last updated by Kayley Harris on

      JULY PRICE RISES MAKE ENERGY THE #1 COST OF LIVING ISSUE FOR OVER-50S

A national survey of over 1,800 over-50s has found that 42% of them consider the price of energy bills to be the number one cost-of-living issue they face.

The poll represents a big turnaround from two months ago, when more than half named Private Health Insurance as their #1 concern.

The surveys were conducted by the FiftyUp Club and shows that annual energy price rises have hurt a demographic segment that makes up one-third of the nation’s population.  

Electricity prices have more than doubled over the past decade nation-wide, so it comes as little surprise that energy is the major contributor to bill stress. The survey found:

  • Energy/Electricity costs were number one issue with 42%
  • Health Insurance costs were second with 23%
  • And Council rates were third with 13%

But help is at hand for those who want it. Even with energy prices growing year on year, a recent report has found many households are still not doing anything about it.

The Australian Energy Market Commission recently reported that consumers in the states where electricity switching is possible, half have not switched in the past 5 years

Even though the report shows that switching from the default offer to a competitive market offer, savings could be up to; $140 in SE QLD; $256 in NSW; $383 in Victoria; and $312 in SA.

FiftyUp Club spokesperson Christopher Zinn commented; “Energy price rises have been a consistent story for years now, and there’s no need to suffer in silence.

“There is plenty of help out there for over-50s who want it, from consumer services groups like the FiftyUp Club and others who can help you cut your energy bills.

They need to start shopping around and take advantage of the discounts so readily available.

The FiftyUp Club has over 190,000 members and uses their combined buying power to unlock special offers and lobby on their behalf. It’s free to join at www.FiftyUpClub.Com.au.

NB to editors & producers: Details of case study over-Fifties who are finding their energy bills to be a major issue are available for media outlets.

MEDIA ENQUIRIES: Kayley Harris, Content Director

EMAIL: Kayley@fiftyupclub.com.au | PHONE: 0488 066 022

Originally posted on .

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JULY PRICE RISES MAKE ENERGY THE #1 COST OF LIVING ISSUE FOR OVER-50S

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Melanie
Melanie from QLD commented:

What a waste of time finding this after "A Current Affair" tonight. Typical garbage on that program. They claim this "Electricity Offer" is for Queenslanders. No it's not. It's just for the SE corner of Qld where there are competitive retailers. We have no such capacity in Central Qld. Your article here is equally misleading and time wasting. Very disappointed 50Up Club. Up yours! 

Elizabeth
Elizabeth from QLD commented:

I live in the South Burnett and am on a pension; I believe we have no alternative with power however I just pay $40 a fortnight when my pension comes in paid automatically therefore I never worry when the power bill comes as I am always in credit. Of course I live alone and conserve as much electricity as possible however I find this method works for me. Elizabeth 

Someone
Someone from QLD commented:

No alternative for consumers in Wibe Bay 

kenneth
kenneth from NSW commented:

Time for baird to have a change of career and stop hitting pensioners. Im sick to death hearing about roads railways and spending money on football arenas. As a pensioner I think we have had about three dollars raise this year how much has baird had and how many million has he wasted on stupid roads and tunnels. Cannot wait for him to resign and put someone in his job who cares for people like pensioners who built this country. This country was once the best country in the world now look where we are one of the worst.Baird should resign and we could get someone in who will buy back our power poles. All the roads should have been built to handle the build up in traffic when the roads were first built. wake up Baird never mind city traffic start building up regional towns maybe country people will be able to find work instead of the dole. 

david
david from WA commented:

no choice in w a 

Kristy
Kristy from VIC commented:

I switched to Dodo gas and electric a couple of years ago. I always check new offers against Dodo and so far none of them have beat it. They pay a $0.25 feed in tariff, 30% pay-on-time discount (usage only) and I pay monthly instead of quarterly which works better for me.(who thought it was a good idea to pay your largest household expense quarterly???) I pay a bit extra for 100% renewable but all the companies seem to charge extra for renewable (sigh). The costs are still too high but I think I pay a little less than most. 

Bruce
Bruce from QLD commented:

I switched to Click energy, ( to get the higher feed-in tariff) but not through Fifty Up. I waited for a while before switching, mainly because of the $50 a month prepayment ( for the two months when the meter isn't read,) only to be refunded that amount plus my solar feed in amount ( I'm always in credit) when the meter is actually read 

Robert
Robert from NSW commented:

I check the fine details on all offers from providers. The devil is in the detail. There are several components to check. 1. the price per kwh for usage. 2. the daily supply charge 3. the price per kwh for off-peak usage 4. the daily supply charge for off-peak usage The retailers who offer the biggest discounts and bonuses ALWAYS have higher charges for all of the above, so the discounts come off a higher base. So, for the best deal, do your homework and do the maths. Haven't changed - been with the same retailer for years - the best deal around . 

Someone
Someone from TAS commented:

What about Tassie. One option - Aurora Energy - hydro powered. choice is only meter-read billing or pay-as-you-go Marj from Tas 

Karen
Karen from NSW commented:

I got a better deal from my electricity company just by ringing them and asking for it. Using a competitor pricing and their own website I asked why I wasn't getting the same or better as an existing customer. They offered a better discount immediately! So the moral is ask. You will not be worse off for asking and you just might do better. 

Kayley
Kayley from NSW replied to Karen:

Hi Karen, this is the advice we always give our members. If your provider can't do better, it pays to shop around. Thanks for your comment 

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