News

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 .

Join the conversation

FiftyUp Club
Fiftyup Club

Join the Conversation with other members below on the FiftyUp Club Forum. Join an existing conversation, or start your own. 

Conversation is closed.
Read our moderation policy here.
Antonius
Antonius from NSW commented:

Us older folks should strive to continue working as long as we can, and at the same time mentor those younger ones to rub off our experience. 

David
David from NSW commented:

I don't feel old and don't want to think old and I know our value to the community is huge, but greatly unrecognised. For those who have tried to get a job and received the standard "the caliber of applicants was very high" reply, we know that translated it means you are too bloody old. Am I starting to sound like an old whinger? I hope not, I would rather be accepted as a valued member of the community with a wealth of experience. So what we need more than anything else is to be respected for our experience and contribution. 

Henry
Henry from NSW replied to David:

David, This is my sentiment exactly. I don't want to be part of the "forgotten era" the "past used by date" group. I believe this club will definitely assist us all if any by the sheer number of members they have managed to attract so far. Sometime ago I also joined The Seniors Party (www.seniorsparty.org) that is looking at having representation in Canberra to assist us all further. This is what we need: a group of people ready to tell those politicians in Canberra we do exist and we will no longer be brushed off. 

Alan
Alan from NSW commented:

Removing the dumb carbon tax could maybe help reduce prices. Now just to sort out the oil companies with the price cycle and set a price like it was years ago, where is the fuel commissioner? 

Dina
Dina from QLD commented:

I would like to see a 20% increase in pension payment. That will make a 100% for the Australian economy. 

Elaine
Elaine from NSW commented:

Maybe discounts on larger costs such as house/car and private health insurance. These are budget killers. 

Denise
Denise from NSW commented:

judy put it out there as a google search there are internet forums exactly about what you are talking about which may be able to help u. I also am a one only household with low power use - but bloody high costs. Living on tank water I have to have electricity for the pump. Ive given up on hot water and turn the HWS on maybe twice a month overnight (off peak system), got those dangerous, stupid, useless lights in the house - cant even read at night they are that useless, and dangerous and very "un green" to get rid of!!! hopes to get cheeper power from this exercise at the very least 

Jennifer
Jennifer from NSW commented:

hopefulle lower living costs for essentials 

Judy
Judy from NSW commented:

As a sole parent I built a house in 1983 & installed solar hot water. I would have LOVED to be able to put solar power on then. Over a year ago I put solar panels on my roof & rejoiced when my first low bill came in at $41.00. Since then it has repeatedly crept up till my last one was $186.00. I live alone, nothing has changed in the house BUT I get to use the solar hot water first & only switch onto the grid when necessary (which is maybe twice a year at most), whereas I am not allowed to do this with the solar power. I get no joy from the power company when I query the huge increase in cost & am told I cannot use the power directly as I wish to do. Does anyone out there have any suggestions? 

Irene
Irene from NSW commented:

can only hope our costs drop and we can have a better financial future 

Wendy
Wendy from NSW commented:

Discounts on everyday items e.g. food & petrol from large retailers & discounts on larger expenses e.g. insurance. 

Comment Guidelines