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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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Someone
Someone from NSW commented:

what about some help with the health fun???? 

Someone
Someone from NSW commented:

All health funs should take notice , not wast so much money on advertiseing.........John ...... nsw 

john
john from NSW commented:

great idea, hopefully with the big mass, we can get discounts, so the business get a big turnover, a win for all 

Lesley
Lesley from NSW commented:

I asked AGL why there was no pensioner concession and was told that they used to give this but - sorry no more. When told about the FiftyUp Club and the numbers joining this Club she agreed they would probably have to reconsider this attitude. This lovely girl asked me for the website so her parents could join. 

kevin
kevin from NSW replied to Lesley:

AGL will lose customers if they don't assist us 

Valerie
Valerie from NSW replied to kevin:

I am a customer of agl & pay $60 per fortnight. I am always in credit. Haven't had a bill to pay in two year's. My gas is the same Try it, its a load off my mind. I get a 15 percent discount. 

kevin
kevin from NSW replied to Valerie:

Thanks 

Alison
Alison from NSW commented:

Living in the country, I would love a discount for fuel and on internet services. 

Someone
Someone from NSW commented:

Carl from NSW . Hope to get some good bargains and maybe a social connection Carl 

Olivia - FiftyUp Club
Olivia - FiftyUp Club from NSW commented:

Nice one Carl, we'll see what offers we can launch for you! 

Christine
Christine from NSW commented:

to be valued as a loyal customer and discounts of services 

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

Exactly, Christine! 

Fred
Fred from NSW commented:

Acting as a group, here tis: Signal our intention not to buy fuel at specified outlets unless a 50up discount on top of recognised discounts is given .Works for me. This action can be transferred to, and applied to many other services, retail and financial institutions. 

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

Great feedback, Fred! Thank you! 

kevin
kevin from NSW replied to Fred:

Great idea and this does work especially in towns 

Valerie
Valerie from NSW replied to Fred:

Right on Fred. I'm with you. 

Raymond
Raymond from NSW commented:

Ray from NSW I hope this concept stirs the commercial world into some concrete action with regard to Seniors. My section of the market is more or less ancored, financaily, two generations ago . The economy increases faster the budget of older retirees can cope with. 

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

That's right Raymond, this is why the FiftyUp Club started! Hopefully we produce offers that benefit you! 

John
John from NSW commented:

Hope to continue finding savings, especially health costs. Already found some savings by moving to Coles Insurance, and slightly improved utilities by going to Origin Energy 

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

John - the FiftyUp Club will use people power to negotiate and provide offers that are tailored to those fifty years and up - good on your for having your own initiative too though! 

kevin
kevin from NSW replied to John:

Thanks John, I will look at Origin 

Darrell
Darrell from NSW replied to kevin:

Don't bother, I'm with Origin and my last bill was $1408.33...!!! And that's just for three months for a 4 bedroom, brick veneer home. When I rang them and asked why so much, I was told basically that if you want a discount, lock yourself into a contract with us for two years, otherwise we can't help you. Great customer service Origin. I'm going Solar... 

kevin
kevin from NSW replied to Darrell:

Thanks 

Paul Heine
Paul Heine from NSW commented:

As a 78 y.o. retired age pensioner I'm in wide agreement with the many good comments & suggestions already made by others. Keeping up with cost-of-living increases is a concern while maintaining the focus on 'healthy living' ........without knowing what remains of life's journey. Go the Grey Army!! 

Olivia - FiftyUp Club
Olivia - FiftyUp Club from NSW replied to Paul Heine:

Paul! Well said, let's rally the troops and get more people to join so we've got more people power to work with! Thanks for your feedback! 

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