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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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Christine
Christine from NSW commented:

Actually I made an error here. Click Energy was the FiftyUp and Solar panels was Big Switch......apologies, I got confused. However it would be good if they can work together! 

Christine
Christine from NSW commented:

Via the FiftyUp Club I moved over to Click Energy and received the Platinum Plan. Then I signed up for the Solar Panel petition and made contact with Surety Energy only to find Click Energy do no support solar! Now I'm stuffed as I want both :( 

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

Hi Christine, if you wish to take up the Sungevity Solar offer through One Big Switch this is possible. You have not signed a contract with Click Energy so you can terminate with them and take part in the Solar Big Switch. 

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

Hi Christine, Click Energy have said that members who took their 17% or 15% offers will be able to remain on them if they take the solar offer. Call Click on 1300 085 785 to confirm. 

Doug
Doug from QLD commented:

I recived my Electricity bill for $120,$48 was a service fee,the gas bill was$153with a service fee of over $90.I dont mind paying for what i use but the price of a service fee is just way too much ,why should we be propping up there profits this way.Enough is enough,time to stand up to the rip offs.I marched against Jo in the 80s ill march again if need be. 

June
June from QLD replied to Doug:

The problem is the big boys at the top. They are receiving such large salaries it has to be paid for by some one. The companies are not going to pay them what they get. 

Someone
Someone from NSW replied to Doug:

Thank you, Doug a very good point. electricity is connected whether you use it or not. Service fees should not apply. We should just pay for our usage. 

DIANE
DIANE from QLD commented:

In reply to Frank, as a woman living on my own in a large house without any family support, that is why I decided to move to a Village, I found young families in the street did not want to know about the "oldie" neighbour. We all have our reasons for doing things, I also did not have access to Super in my working life. The friendship and suppport in a Village is the best I could wish for. 

alan
alan from NSW commented:

Is it discrimination that because I work over 20 hours a week I am ineligible to apply for a seniors card I work a 40 hour week and pay taxes and contribute to the Govt Coffers with taxes No kids and debt free no way to write off any deductions & seem to pay full price for everything 

Anne-Marie
Anne-Marie from NSW commented:

Recently i lost my job.It has been offshored to India.Besides the fact that this greatly concerns me for the future of our children and grand children...i am also very concerned about my own future. Up till now i have been able to maintain a reasonable life...and pay all those extras...electricity,insurances,healthy food...and rent. Now i am in a situation where i can't afford to pay $500/week rent on Centerlink payment. I was bluntly told by Housing department..." that's your problem...". I desperately need advice on what to do and how to solve this situation. I find it frightening that me...who worked all my life in Australia and payed taxes to maintain a mediocre government,am not looked after when i need it....but wait...there are people who can jump the queue...because they are viewed as more needy than me....how fair is that? what about " Charity starts at home"? I asked different government department but they won't offer any help.Can someone contact me and help me with advice please? 

Frank
Frank from QLD replied to Anne-Marie:

if you haven't been able to save for your own house, it is unfortunate you are at the mercy of the landlords whims, Some people are lucky they have families that can provide them a Granny flat, There are also organisations that provide rental accommodation at very reasonable rents, They don't usually advertise and you need to network to find out about them, by word of mouth from people in your community. 

Anne-Marie
Anne-Marie from NSW replied to Frank:

Thank you for the reply Frank. Unfortunately i am on my own and have no family members who can offer a granny flat. Would you be able to provide me with more info on those organisations? or maybe " keywords" i could Google for...do they have a name those sort of accomodation?Unfortunately 99% of my friend moved away and i have no contacts in Sydney...I am not married and not in a relationship so i have no help whatsoever...for advice or other-ways...All info greatly appreciated...BTW...i am 62 and looking for work or retraining...not a bludger in any shape or form. I asked my church but they are not very helpful either.Don't know if this is allowed but you can contact me at pamper64@hotmail.com. Thank you very much 

Valerie
Valerie from NSW replied to Anne-Marie:

Maybe moving to an area where the rents are cheaper. Have you applied for Community housing? The doh will support you with bond money. I feel for you. Go to your local mp ask if they would represent you to the dept of housing. I wish you luck. 

Anne-Marie
Anne-Marie from NSW replied to Valerie:

Thank you Valerie...i am in the process of getting all the paperwork for housing ready. what really bothers me is...a russian ladies mother just arrived from Russia....and she got a great housing right in Cougee.She never worked a single day of her life here...I did...and i am told to move to Liverpool to get a cheep room?Honestly now.. The idea of my local MP is a grate idea...although he is a liberal and do not believe him to be very understanding...But i can play him against the Labor MP too...They sure have weight...but i need to prepare forms first...thank you for your idea. 

Valerie
Valerie from NSW replied to Anne-Marie:

Glad to be of some help. Once you get a T number You can then apply to Community housing 

Valerie
Valerie from NSW replied to Valerie:

Contact any of the major welfare agencies. They usually have contacts forCommunity housing throught the metro areas & regional areas. Good luck. 

Anne-Marie
Anne-Marie from NSW replied to Valerie:

thank you Valerie...but what is a T number?...sorry to be so ignorant about these things. Great advice and will follow up for sure.Is a " Welfare Agency...something like Anglicare, or the Salvos or Mission Australia? i am not familiar with that side either...It just tells you....some people know everything there is to know about it...and others know nothing...mainly because up to now i never needed them...thank god for helpful people and their advice. 

Valerie
Valerie from NSW replied to Anne-Marie:

I know of these things as a semi retired case manager with Probation & Parole, I had much contact with DoH & Community housing. The T number is your application no you are given. 

Paul
Paul from NSW commented:

I am happy to work as long as required, I live in the country area and have found over the past 12 months there are no jobs and when there is a job over 500 people apply, I have even tried to get jobs packing shelves in Coles and Woolworths etc, but the response I received was they found someone with better qualifications, ( what do you need to pack shelves) I have been managers in the auto motive industry and also worked in mines and construction. Since the age of 40 it has been very difficult to survive working only part time here and there, this country is no longer a lucky country it has been destroyed by greed, unions and corruption. 

Herb
Herb from NSW commented:

Just wondering if anyone has seen or is using the ALDImobile offer and what do they think of it. 

Anne-Marie
Anne-Marie from NSW replied to Herb:

a lady i know has been given a used mobile and set up with the AldiMobile. Seems to work just like any other mobile. I believe it is a prepayed one that you top-up when it runs out. She doesn't know more than that herself...but i would assume you buy recharges from ALDI....but her phone works fine. 

Beverley
Beverley from NSW replied to Herb:

I bought an Aldi mobile some months ago. It is unlocked so able to be used with any provider - or you can choose to go with one of the Aldi plans. As I am not a heavy usage user of the mobile, Im prepaid on a 365 day plan with my previous carrier - (with my previous SIM card and old number) - and top up $$$s when required at any of the places I used to with my previous phone. Just wish it rang a little louder but that may well be me not the phone!!! Otherwise been happy! I believe if you link to internet you can download ringtones to suit. Hope this helps :) 

Joel - FiftyUp Club
Joel - FiftyUp Club from NSW replied to Herb:

Hi Herb, you might find this article helpful: http://www.onebigswitch.com.au/news/2013/07/30/3-mobile-plans-you-probably-dont-know-about-but-should/#.UvAwZHe1a-I 

DIANE
DIANE from QLD commented:

I live in a Retirement Village, as nice as it is, when I moved in 11yrs ago my monthly fee was $200, it is now $660 and I own my unit! This does cover water and rates, so I guess I cannot be too suprised, however its draining my money-pot. So just something for people to think about who may be contemplating moving - 

Frank
Frank from QLD replied to DIANE:

The cheapest housing is still your own, that's why it is important for people to save for years while they earn an income to purchase. But you need to be realistic with the housing you purchase. If you do not need 24hrs care, I can't see the benefit of nursing homes. The Aged care companies shouldn't be profit making organisations. 

Michael
Michael from NSW commented:

I am sick and tired of hearing all this rubbish about keeping older people in the workforce longer, are they the government going to find us all good paying jobs. The younger generation are having difficulties finding work and employers are asking for more and more qualifications and longer hours. I say pay politicians on a performance basis, that should lower substantially the burden on the public purse and maybe just maybe we may just get a government who can manage the economy of the country without wasting billions on ill thought out schemes 

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