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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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Patrick
Patrick from NSW commented:

discounts 

Christine
Christine from NSW commented:

I'd like to see a shift towards customers being rewarded for their loyalty rather than the continuous special offers aimed at switch/conquest business. Regularly we shop around when we receive renewal notices and have to phone our suppliers to get better pricing. If they can offer us that price - why not do it up front and save us all the time. 

Henry
Henry from NSW replied to Christine:

Christine: This club will get the discounts they promised: see the incredible amount of members they already have. This, together with a party I joined: The Seniors Party (www.seniorsparty.org) is the way to go. Please visit their website and read what they have there. 

Brian
Brian from NSW commented:

Being a self funded retiree I would like to see people in my position get similar benefits as pensioners eg cheaper medications, one free vehicle registration per year, cheaper council rates on their homes etc. I feel the majority of self funded retirees are disadvantaged particularly as the interest rates on investments are extremely low and this is what we rely on to live. 

Kath
Kath from NSW commented:

WOULD LIKE TO KEEP UP TO DATE WITH SENIOR NEWS 

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

Exactly, Kath! 

Henry
Henry from NSW replied to Kath:

Dear Kath: One way of keeping up with seniors news is to join The Seniors Party (www.seniorsparty.org) It's a newly formed Party whose main objective is to get represented in Canberra to really help us all seniors. 

Frank
Frank from NSW commented:

I feel that the insurance companies the N.R.M.A Road Service Supermarkets and Banks are not giving us a fair go...not taking into account driving history...klms travelled...Bank fees and perhaps a small discount on our groceries...they can all afford it. 

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

Thanks, Frank, they are good ideas - I will pass on that feedback and hopefully the FiftyUp Club will produce offers that benefit you! 

Joyce
Joyce from NSW commented:

Recognition from service providers that 50 ups are usually the lowest claimants over product services e.g. loyalty/no claim discounts on bills like CTPs, car insurance (even a max no claim bonus on car insurance still leaves a high premium remaining), house/contents insurance (same thing). Any discounts need to be GENUINE discounts not using a higher price base then discounting to make it look as though you are being charged a lower rate. 

Henry
Henry from NSW replied to Joyce:

Joyce: One of the main reasons for this is the fact that we have no representation in Canberra. This is the reason why I joined The Seniors Party (www.seniorsparty.org). Together with this Club it forms a very strong front, don't you think so? 

Peter
Peter from NSW commented:

I live on my own, and my3 monthly Electricity Bill is over $100.00, my Gas Bill is usually around $70.00. Iam with ORIGIN ENERGY, can this be improved? Please advise. P McC. 

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

Hi Peter, we'll try to negotiate the best possible offers. You could also go to One Big Switch (www.onebigswitch.com.au) and have a look at the current electricity offer with Click energy! You can also call them on 1300 085 785. It expires in a couple of days, hopefully you'll benefit! 

Anthony
Anthony from NSW commented:

Much Cheaper Green Sip & Petrol for pensioners. To those drivers with no offence or accidents at all should get a good deal for green slip or any car insurance. 

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

Thank you for your feedback Anthony! 

Christine
Christine from NSW commented:

A warning regarding Blue Haven Pool. They are unable to provide Home Warranty Insurance which they must do on receipt of monies for pool building. I have paid $10K representing a deposit and variation cost for a new pool. I paid this in April and it is now November. No acknowledgement from the Owner (Ned A), no certification forthcoming, no pool started. As they advertise on a major radio station, it is imperative they be checked prior to any further advertisements being run. I have lodged a case with Department of Fair Trading re these circumstances. Want other Senior to be aware. 

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

Christine, Thank you very much for your feedback! 

Sandra anne
Sandra anne from NSW replied to Christine:

I have also had a lot of trouble with Blue Haven pool... 

Henry
Henry from NSW replied to Christine:

Christine: Another very strong way of getting to them is via Facebook: everybody reads it and I can rest you assure you will get an answer in no time. What I have done in anticipation of these kind of issues is to join The Seniors Party (www.seniorsparty.org). they are looking to get representation in Canberra to really help us seniors. 

Les
Les from NSW commented:

I recently challenged my electricity supplier (Energy Australia) for a better deal and got a 17% discount, the only thing is that I had to stay with them for 2 years. They will offer 12% as standard but if you push them, they will move to 17% 

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

Nice one Les, good on you! Negotiating with your suppliers is definitely a good method of seeing if you can benefit! 

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