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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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Someone
Someone from NSW commented:

Just a quick question please folks. on another money saver! Has anyone realised when loging on to Click Energy - all addresses similar to your own actually pop up! Caused me concern! Claude from NSW 

Jess - FiftyUp Club
Jess - FiftyUp Club from VIC commented:

Hi Claude, We'd like to get to the bottom of this. Can you please send some more information to Jess@onebigswitch.com.au? Thanks, Jess 

Wendy
Wendy from QLD commented:

I use my local IGA (Caboolture South) who gives a 5% seniors disount on Weds and 4c a litre fuel redemption once you buy petrol. In 2 years we have had $517.43 in discounts. That is over a months free groceries for us. You can redeem both discounts at the same time. I also discipline myself to shop with a list and review catalogues before going shopping. 

sonia
sonia from QLD replied to Wendy:

We use to go to IGA, finding it's getting rather on the dear side, so now have been going for awhile going to Aldi, they are the cheapest and buy Aussie produce including fruit and vegies, plus they omit colours preservatives and flavours which are detrimental to our health. I think our governments should be looking into this by banning all food manufactures putting and using anything detrimental to our health in food to keep it longer!!! Fresh is best. 

Rosemary
Rosemary from QLD commented:

I have gone back to the old fashioned system of setting myself a budget before I go shopping and sticking to it. Each item I put into the trolley I note down the price. I used to use a calculator, but now I keep the grey matter ticking over by mentally calculating and writing down a running total on my shopping list. Supermarkets mostly still have at least one set of scales, so I weigh any fresh produce and calculate the cost. It might sound tedious, but I have come to enjoy the challenge of coming in on my budget each week .It also avoids any nasty surprises at the checkout. 

Ian
Ian from NSW commented:

I find that a good way to save money at supermarkets is to check your shopping docket after going through the checkout. It' amazing how often there are items that have been charged for at the wrong price and I can't remember any of the incorrect prices that were charged being in the customer's favour. 

Maree
Maree from QLD replied to Ian:

Thanks for the reminder Ian, I used to do this, must start being more vigilant 

Susan
Susan from QLD commented:

Costs banks etc... I like my Super and doubt we could live comfortably without it however I think it is superannuation schemes that are!in part, forcing up costs and bank fees. Super funds buy shares in large companies, banks etc and then demand profits for their members. This forces the companies to put costs,y fees and charges up in order to make the profits to pay their investors (including, possibly my Super fund) so costs go up. A real 'Catch 22' situation. 

Susan
Susan from QLD commented:

I think if you buy a gift card at Woolworths you can then purchase groceries with that gift card and save 3%. 

Kevin
Kevin from SA commented:

Check out the SPC direct outlet at Shepparton if you are ever there, or near. Huge savings on dented or damaged cans, and big savings buying bulk. You will be surprised, they run bus-trips there for people who want to save heaps. 

Dorothy
Dorothy from NSW commented:

There needs to be something done about the duopoly Coles and Woolies. They are running this country...from our farmers and food producers to petrol sales, affecting independents, to retail, and now they are into insurance and credit cards. I shop at Aldi and refuse to enter Coles or Woolies unless I have no other choice. 

Sharon
Sharon from QLD commented:

why am i not surprised, low incomes earner, seniors always miss out and have to put up with this. We need people power to say enough is enough about multi buying of sales prices not fair. 

Brian
Brian from NSW commented:

Don't take your husband/partner with you! 

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