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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

Tags: Energy Information
Last updated by Someone on

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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MARTIN
MARTIN from NSW commented:

Is there any interest among the members in being able to organise superior home building/contents & motor vehicle insurance in a simple format with extensive cover and discounted premiums? As a broker for last 45 years I may be able to arrange with one of Australia"s largest Insurers a scheme to provide such cover for fellow Club members. As long as there is sufficient interest to make this work for the Clubs members I can investigate further. Let the Club know and I will pursue this matter. M 

Valerie
Valerie from NSW replied to MARTIN:

I am very interested 

Henry
Henry from NSW replied to MARTIN:

Martin: Good idea! Why don't you also contact The Seniors Party (www.seniorsparty.org) an organisation I joined sometime ago and I am more than content to be part of their group. 

Marlene
Marlene from NSW replied to MARTIN:

Fabulous idea Martin, I'm interested. 

Miriam
Miriam from NSW commented:

Better discounts, after all we have paid a good share of tax to the country, now its our turn to get back what we have put in 

Wayne
Wayne from NSW commented:

A better deal on insurances, Home, car, medical, we have contributed for many years and receive no benefit for loyalty, or providing for ourselves for so long. There are discounts for newcomers but the loyal customer gets little consideration or none. 

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

It's a good point Wayne. Offers that reward loyalty are an option we will actively pursue. Thanks for the suggestion, it's appreciated. 

Marlene
Marlene from NSW replied to David - FiftyUp Club:

Wayne and David, If I remember correctly - years ago we did receive cheaper insurance the longer we were with the same company. No wonder we go from company to company to find the best deal! 

trish
trish from NSW commented:

thats exactly what i mean Henry, we are the baby boomers and have kept this country going with our work ethos now i feel the government see us as a burden i am actually still working and paying my way and do not rely on the government for any "Handouts" i will be taking your advise and joining that party We need representation on many fronts 

Brian
Brian from NSW commented:

Concerning the N.S.W.O'Farrell liberal goverment , you are proving to be no better than the old disfuctional government 

Brian
Brian from NSW replied to Brian:

TWO examples are 1 the way chris hartcher is helping the coal seam gas industry and any mining company do whatever they want which even includes backdating a new law to help make a bad deal done by the previous bad labor government now law .Are all polititions that stupid that they think we cant see what there doing .especially when Barry O'farrell gets up trys to tell you the opposite to your face. Oh well they probably studied how labor did it and thought we can do better than that .. Number 2 .when are we going to get minimum sentences ,not just when someone is bashed we dont need any more maximum possible penalties or years in jail we need them to use the penalties that are already on the statute books .what weak kneed goverments we have here .Brian Dig sutho 

Valerie
Valerie from NSW replied to Brian:

Hear you loud and clear. We need to wake up to th all. The seniors party maybe the way We should all join them then we would be a threat to the major parties. 

jenny
jenny from QLD replied to Brian:

It's time we became all under one government- the federation of Australia.- far too many little Indians all over the nation!! putting hardearned tax payers money into their pockets. lets become one govt. and become a greater nation. 

Marlene
Marlene from NSW commented:

Councils to go back to basics - I'm sick of my rate money being spent on flashy brochures, overseas trips, etc. Too much politics in local government. 

Brian
Brian from NSW replied to Marlene:

I agree just before the end of the financial year the councils are seen repaving roads that dont need doing just so they use up their allocation of money otherwise they wont be able to increase their budget or increase their rates next financial year .. comment from Brian Sutherland 

Henry
Henry from NSW replied to Marlene:

Marlene: And don't forget the famous "Sister Cities" program - what a farce! We need to stop them. What I have done to help this change is to have joined The Seniors party (www.seniorsparty.org). They are looking at being represented in Canberra to assist us all with our grievances and (amongst other areas) to try to stop this rort: everybody in politics seems to be able to put their greedy hands in the money jar. 

Marlene
Marlene from NSW replied to Henry:

Exactly Henry, forgot about the "Sister Cities" program. Just a way for councilors to go on overseas trips!!! On our money!!! 

trish
trish from NSW commented:

a fair go for fifty ups and to be acknowledge for our ongoing contribution to society in so many ways & more discounts on utilities 

Henry
Henry from NSW replied to trish:

Well put, trish. We worked all of our life, contributing where we could and now we seem to be "the forgotten era". Those politicians honestly believe they are doing us a favour by paying our pensions - it's a right, not a privilege. This is why I also joined The Seniors Party (www.seniorsparty.org) to have representation in Canberra to be able to change their thoughts by sheer numbers. 

Srikanth
Srikanth from NSW commented:

cheaper insurance,utility bills,petrol bills,telephone bills and petrol bills 

Helen
Helen from NSW commented:

I would like a discount on tolls especially the M7, discount on home and contents insurance and a better deal on Foxtel were I only watch the sports channel 

Anita
Anita from NSW commented:

Anita: I would also like smaller packaging, not just for goods but services eg better PAYTV selection. Being > 60 and very selective, I resent paying so much for more than 30 "Essentials" channels - mostly American rubbish that I never watch. (Does anyone know of a way I could get mostly UK and European news, football, including BBC, DW and UK-TV?). I only ever watch 4-5 pay-tv channels now ,and have the Sports package too, which is not that good either. It is like being held to ransom just because I want the EPL, Speed, Eurosports and Cricket so much, yet have to suffer all the sports I hate eg golf, rugby, gridiron, when I am a football (soccer) fan. There no real opposition to Foxtel. Seniors should be able to select say 10 channels of their choice for $15 per month. 

Henry
Henry from NSW replied to Anita:

Anita: Please go to http://www.tele-windows.com/europe-tv2.htm, there seems to be a plethora of channels to choose from. This club (I believe) will get discounts for us, this is why I also joined The Seniors Club (www.seniorsparty.org). Together is a strong front for us. You see, The Seniors Party wants to get representation in Canberra to ensure those politicians start listening to our needs, not just theirs. 

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