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News$700k worth of savings tips from the government
$700k worth of savings tips from the government

$700k worth of savings tips from the government

Unless you’ve been living under a rock lately, you would have noticed all the talk about energy prices. If you have been off the grid (pun intended), there’s no hiding from your energy bill, which will find you eventually. 

And so will the Federal Government’s latest $700,000 ad campaign!

Launched this month, the Powering Forward Campaign reportedly cost tax-payers $300,000 for 60 seconds of airtime during the AFL & NRL Grand Finals, and as much as $700,000 in fees to a Melbourne ad agency.

There's some useful information buried in there, but it's hidden behind propaganda pushing the government's energy policy credentials.

What do you think of the campaign?

Our take? The website contains some useful info for people wanting to save on power bills, for example it links to the Energy Made Easy comparison site and the Victorian Switchon site to compare offers.

It also contains energy efficiency tips for households, which can be handy.

But all that useful stuff is buried behind the silly “powering forward” slogan and some bumph about the Government’s Snowy Hydro 2.0 and gas reservation policies.

They’re important, but we’d like to see the moneysaving info up front and centre!

Here’s something else you can do to save.

A couple of months back, the Fiftyup Club started our Power-Up Campaign,  which now boasts a staggering 50,000 registrations nationally That tells us that you do want to do something about energy prices even if it’s just to send a message to power companies that enough is enough.

While Australia may rank second in the world for quality-of-life, we rate first in the world for the highest energy prices. Data from the Carbon + Energy Markets' MarkIntell service says we’re ahead of Germany, Denmark and Italy with 4 Australian states in the top ten (click here to see the list).

This despite Australia having every energy resource available in the world including coal, wind, solar, nuclear and sea-water hydro power.

What can you do? It’s as easy as picking up the phone, calling your energy retailer and asking for a better deal. Don’t take no for an answer. The energy market has never been so competitive and you can get results, with many members reporting savings in the hundreds of dollars.

Click here to see the latest Fiftyup Club energy offers, extended for a limited time only


 

 

Originally posted on .

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Lily
Lily from WA commented:

Looking for discount in WA. 

Someone
Someone from VIC commented:

Evert year before your insurance is due look for a cheaper one and tell your company you are thinking of changing and chances are they'll keep last years price.Don't have a direct debit unless you pay monthly and make sure you compare before the due date. I don't use my car that much and like REAL as they charge by kms you plan to use,if you think you're going to go over call them 2 months before due date and pay a bit extra to cover extra kms.Their onlin application is easier than most and they are helpful over the phone. 

Someone
Someone from NSW commented:

Why is the font for this forum set so low only 20 somethings can read it? 

Someone
Someone from VIC commented:

Hit Ctrl and + together on your keyboard...problem solved 

Someone
Someone from SA commented:

Hold Down control and scroll with your mouse wheel easy 

pamela
pamela from NSW commented:

I'd like to GENUINE offers and discounts, not tricked up marketing ploys that hide the real costs. 

Michael
Michael from NSW commented:

Checked out the Coles Insurance offer. Whilst they will agree to save me $100 against my existing policy with Shannons and match excess and stated value, there was no guarantee that this would remain the same after the first 12 months. I obtained a quote from Coles without the FiftyUp promo and found it was almost 3 times higher than my existing policy, with a higher excess!! For the sake of $100, I don't think it is worth changing from someone who has given me very good service. Thanks for your efforts. 

Lockie - One Big Switch
Lockie - One Big Switch from NSW commented:

Excited to see FiftyUp Club launch its first offer. Love seeing an idea come to fruition. 

Les
Les from NSW commented:

I'm getting cranky with this, first I find that the electricity I am paying is at a better rate than the fiftyupclub could recommend with another provider, and now I find that the Coles insurance offer would cost me another $500 more than I am currently paying for my 2009 Toyota. Come on FiftyUp if you want to get support for what could be the best thing for those either in or entering into retirement, you need to find real solutions to our problems not those that would foster unfair competition in the market place. I'm happy to supply documentation to back up my claim that it would cost me more than $500 by going to Coles Insurance. Get Real (insurance) Cheers all, Les 

Olivia - FiftyUp Club
Olivia - FiftyUp Club from NSW replied to Les:

Hi Les, the Coles offer is a guaranteed $100 saving at minimum if you're deemed a safe driver. If the website hasn't indicated that I would strongly recommend you give them a call on 1300 661 436, they will absolutely honour the offer and you will save at least $100 on your insurance. 

David - FiftyUp Club
David - FiftyUp Club from NSW replied to Les:

Hi Les, we're very keen to look into your claims. If you could please supply your documentation to me at david@fiftyupclub.com.au, I will look into it. Also in regards to electricity, FiftyUp Club has not made any offers to date. We hope to have electricity offers out soon and will make you aware once we do. 

Someone
Someone from NSW replied to Les:

I'm currently insured through NRMA and just got a quote from Coles for approximately $450 more than what I'm paying now. I think i'll stay with my current provider. 

David - FiftyUp Club
David - FiftyUp Club from NSW commented:

Hi, please send me through details of your current cover to david@onebigswitch.com.au and I will ensure your premium is beat by a minimum $100. Thanks 

Someone
Someone from NSW replied to David - FiftyUp Club:

I have contacted Coles car insurance three times now over the past year and again today. If I can't get them to reduce my premium by $500, then no one can. 

Bill
Bill from NSW commented:

I read the terms and conditions of the Insurance offer located at the end of the text, they are in small print and very light text colour. I read that the offer is only available FOR THE FIRST YEAR of insurance. I already have a good deal with my current insurer and whilst I may save $100 in the first year by switching, THERE IS NO GUARANTEE about savings continuing thereafter and I could possibly end up paying more than I would with my current insurer in subsequent years. I NEED CONVINCING THAT THIS IS A GOOD DEAL. Am I missing something? Comments or advice from anyone? 

David - FiftyUp Club
David - FiftyUp Club from NSW replied to Bill:

Hi Bill, there is no guarantee you will save next year however, even without the guaranteed minimum $100 price beat guarantee, the offer is still a very competitive deal. While there is no guarantee for the future, Coles Insurance has won the Australian Banking and Finance “General Insurance Product of the Year” award 2013, as well as the Mozo People's Choice Awards “Best Value for Money Car Insurer” and “Top 5 Car Insurer” for 2013. 

Joel - One Big Switch
Joel - One Big Switch from NSW commented:

Hi members, we are receiving information that some of you have saved hundreds of dollars by taking up the offer, which is great news. Remember that if you have any questions, you can use the online chat facility at the bottom-right of this webpage, or call Coles Insurance on their FiftyUp Club hotline: 1300 661 436. 

Peter
Peter from NSW commented:

The offer from Coles looks good, but what have they not offering to get the price down. 

Joel - One Big Switch
Joel - One Big Switch from NSW replied to Peter:

Hi Peter, the key to the low prices in this offer is that it's NOT available to young drivers. Because of that, FiftyUps are not cross-subsidising 20-somethings and can get the same level of cover for less. Feel free to have a look at the PDS at this link if you want more information: www.coles.com.au/insurance 

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