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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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John
John from NSW commented:

Better deals on power and other bills that never stop coming in 

june
june from NSW commented:

Cheaper private health insurance. Long waiting lists in public hospital make this important to have. 

BARRY
BARRY from NSW commented:

I would like to see pressure bought to bear on retailers {the big supermarkets in particular} who offer discounts for purchases but to receive the discount you have to buy two, three or more of the products. This is a form of discrimination against those of us who do not have the cash resources or the need for more than one of the products. It is no doubt great for big families but not the over fifties or low income people. 

Max
Max from NSW replied to BARRY:

Many businesses offers a discount to Seniors but staff are not permitted to mentioned this when finaliasing payment at the cash register. The customer has to ask for it (or it is quietly overlooked) and at our age it is easy to forget to ask for it. Australian laws should require businesses to display a sign at the cash register advising seniors of this discount and staff should be permitted to offer it. 

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

That's an interesting point Max. Thanks for sharing. 

Max
Max from NSW replied to BARRY:

You are right Barry. To get a half decent discount off petrol at Woolies Service Stations the cash register bill at a Woolies Supermarket has to be over $300.00. A husband and wife spending lots of money to feed a large family can get a good discount on petrol but a pensioner couple on limited income, able to spend less are discriminated against and receive a pittance. 

John
John from NSW commented:

I would like to get better discount on holiday and travel as we have more time to do this sort of thing 

Max
Max from NSW replied to John:

A trick told to me by a travel agent mate of mine was to do all of you connection bookings here in Australia. Say for instance you want to holiday in Hawaii be aware there are about seven islands. Pre booking flights between each of the islands before leaving Australia saves a little cash on each flight. 

Jean
Jean from NSW commented:

I would like to see more TV shows that cater for the older generation. The majority of them can't go out very often, like the younger generation and can't afford Foxtel. 

Max
Max from NSW replied to Jean:

I agree it is high time shows like Some Mothers Do have them, Stepto and Son , On the Buses, Norman Gunston, Kingswood Country and lots of other shows of that vintage were shown again as this generation have not had the oportunity to have a tummy snigger at them. I believe the only reason they are not being shown is the Political Correct crowd have wiped them from the archives. 

Kerry
Kerry from NSW commented:

We would like to know about any walking groups in our area, and fitness classes, both overweight and would like to be part of a group for unfit oldies. Also deals on compression stockings, $75.00 is too much, I don't qualify for a health card . I am 60 and my prescriptions for blood pressure, cholesterol, thyroid and anti depressant put a big strain on us monthly. 

Max
Max from NSW replied to Kerry:

Work is being done on understanding the micro-biota (Friendly Germs) that break down food in our intestines. Apparently a thin person has a different biota to that found in the gut of a fat person. It is first necessary to kill off the fat person's biota using a broad spectrum anti biotic before giving them the thin persons friendly germs. Transferring biota from a thin person to a fat person has resulted in them losing weight over a few months. Exercising was unnessarily which could be beneficial as at our advanced age it can be detrimental to our joints. So bearing this in mind you might like to kick back, enjoy life and wait until the 'Biota Pill' comes onto the market in five or ten years. 

Kerry
Kerry from NSW commented:

I do not want to be charged fees just for accessing my own money, I am retired and am restricted with the number of withdrawals I can make at ATMs, why? It is my own business how and when and where I draw on my own super pension money! What a cheek, I am with the SGE credit union. I would also like to know about a cheaper mobile, Internet and landline package. Group tours discounted too so that we can have a holiday. A lot of pensioners have a pet , cheaper accommodation and more pet friendly accommodation would be very helpful. 

Lyn
Lyn from NSW replied to Kerry:

My pet hate ...bank fees to access my money... 

Max
Max from NSW replied to Kerry:

Go to the Smokes section of Woollies or Coles to draw money out of your account and there is no transaction fee. 

Cheryl
Cheryl from NSW commented:

Anything that gives us an edge in the savings stakes is welcome. The more the better. Cheryl NSW 

Graham
Graham from QLD commented:

Just wanted to let others here know about the ADVP - Australian Defence Veterans Party - membership open to ALL Australians who are sick to death of politicians feeding themselves and ignoring those who elected them, the ADVP is a new party and growing quickly, soon hope to have the 500 members needed to go to the AEC and register as a political party. If your sick of the way things are going in this country and want to make a difference please visit http://www.audvp.com.au/ 

Mavis
Mavis from NSW commented:

Hi, My problem is dental. We just cannot afford to go. My husband and I go to the dental clinic at Westmead Dental Centre but it is difficult to get an appointment. I used to be covered by Medicare but the last government stopped that. Maybe someone can come up with a better idea to have our teeth covered. We have hospital cover with a private fund but no extras as it is too expensive. It won't be long before we have to leave that after 55 years of belonging to HCF. 

Max
Max from NSW replied to Mavis:

Some wag recently suggested we shoot our local MP that way we would be arrested and receive free board, lodgings and medical for life. Perhaps the Opposition Party would pay for the bullets. 

Graham
Graham from QLD replied to Mavis:

Hi Mavis, There is a Dental School somewhere near Central Station in Sydney that does (or did) near free dental treatment as long as you don't mind the student's poking around in your mouth 

Mavis
Mavis from NSW replied to Graham:

Hi Graham, It is very far away from us but Westmead Dental is a training clinic for students. I went there when I was a kid about 60-65 years ago. Thanks anyway! 

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