$700k worth of savings tips from the government

I would like cheaper electricity and insurance. 

I am disappointed with the first offer from the Club. After researching Coles Insurance on the web, I would not take up their offer if they gave away their insurance for free. http://www.productreview.com.au/p/coles-car-insurance.html Coles are a supermarket and they are best sticking to that area. I would rather pay extra than take up any insurance discount Coles offers. You'll save $100, but any claims will cost you $500 worth of headache and stress. 

Jean, totally agree with you on Greenslip, we're in the same boat annually. Greenslip costs/increases should be heavily loaded onto those who cause the accidents/injuries, not those of us who have worked hard for decades to not take the risks. Insurers claim it is the new (!) compulsory government levy that makes it so expensive, the government (i) doesn't want to finger the risk-takers & (ii) doesn't want to reduce its 'take' on anything- the higher the premium, the more it also gets (as with water, electricity & communications services). Surely reward is a better incentive than penalty…. but, of course, it doesn't see it as economic benefit to its general revenue coffers. Behaving carefully on the road is caring for others; behaving carelesslessly/recklessly is outright selfish, anti-community and deserves constant heavy penalty. BUT ONLY ON THOSE THAT PRACTISE IT! Why do we pay for that insulting & threatening behaviour??? 

I need a new policy on my home contents insurance, as I am extremely unhappy with AAMI. Any recommendations? 

Not too thrilled about assisting Coles to have an Insurance Monopoly as well as Petrol and Groceries. Merve. 

I'm 55 and preparing for retirement mid next year due to my employer rendering my position "redundant" after a very difficult period. I'm just luck that my superannuation fund allows access at 55. I've been looking at ways to make my small superannuation nest egg get me through until the pension which kicks in at age 60. I'm single, with a mortgage (to be paid off by superannuation funds on retirement) and an expensive monthly medications bill (hoping I'll be eligible for the health care card). I was looking into the Seniors card which states, "To be eligible for a NSW Seniors Card you must be a New South Wales permanent resident, aged 60 or over and work no more than 20 hours a week in paid employment". Surely there is scope for people such as myself who are forced to take up retirement earlier than expected, we all know how difficult it is for those of us who have years of experience and diverse skills to find work over the age of 45 - 50, to be able to access the discounts/benefits offered by the seniors card. Perhaps this is something the movement can look into. 

Over 55's retirement homes need to be changed urgently. If you decide to enter a self care unit in a retirement home believe me it is a nightmare if you sell your house in good faith thinking that you are doing the right thing and will be happy. No, not necessarily. So it makes you very vulnerable to the preying real esate deceiving misleading sales people and the conveyance who is their friend. I have had a terrible experience moving out of a self care unit and trying to buy into a villa with no money. I ended up paying $20,000 more than the dump was worth as it was very apparent that the place needed lots of replacements and no one would buy it at the price I paid. I had no bargaining leverage and I had to move out of the complex so that I could receive my deposit money refund in a month. Try buying without money. I had to rent the place for $500.00 a week plus pay all the bills as soon as I moved in. I was not made aware of that by the agent or the lawyer. I hope to save money, share ideas and experiences to help others and make some good friends too. 

Now we have 343 pages about what we want from others, perhaps this would be a good time to have a site where we exchange ideas about what we are doing to help ourselves. A t 66, in private rental, super.a tiny $4200,and only reasonable health I meet so many who should be living better than I, yet are not. Too many approach retirement doing very little beyond their job. They think they 'do things', but actually they listen to, watch, and read about, others 'doing things' All part of a balanced lifestyle but often costs money and does little to boost their feelings of achievement and self worth. Go into retirement with a small enjoyable hobby that produces a little money, no matter how little, and leaves less time for dissatisfaction, and and the boredom that oft. leads to money frittering. My small craft output only clears $160 to $200 per month yet wisely distributed between areas of budget need, makes all the difference, whilst leaving me 20 hours or more per working day just for me. SELF HELP IS REALLY HELPFUL SO LET'S TALK ABOUT IT. 

Right now, our Greenslip is due and they make no allowances for us in our eighties even though we never had an accident. 

Home/car insurance is my greatest impost as my small investment has been halved by economic conditions. I dont smoke, drink or generally go out & believe that I make every effort to stay within my budget.