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.
Peter
Peter from NSW commented:

Need to target petrol with independent stations such as speedway. Supermarket stations are pushing up prices artificially through their discounts. We need to put our buying power to the test and put supermarket petrol stations pressure to compete providing genuine discounts. Not discounts at their inflated prices. 

Christine
Christine from NSW replied to Peter:

I agree with you Peter petrol prices are too high. I live in the Northern Rivers and petrol prices between Mount Burrell, Uki and Murwillumbah vary from 1.69.9 to 1.52.9, after all the price of a barrell of oil has dropped so why are we not getting the discount????, just another case of consumer being ripped off! Oh and we don't have petrol stations that support supermarket discount in these ares, one needs to go to Tweed Heads or Lismore. I don't support the big supermarkets petrol discounts, you pay for it in store anyway. 

Elizabeth
Elizabeth from NSW commented:

Broadband and home phone with telstra is too expensive. Does anyone agree. ? 

Daniel
Daniel from NSW replied to Elizabeth:

Definitely, I used to be with Telstra, they are without a doubt the best service in the country, but the prices they charge are off the planet, I have a cheaper internet connection now with IPrimus but it's a crap server, and if you go on direct debit with them they add things without asking, if you refuse to have anything to do with direct debit they charge you for all the handling that you are doing. 

Someone
Someone from NSW commented:

Have just looked at an interesting UK web site BLAR BLAR CARS. This car sharing site allows people to link with a car owner non car owner wishing to travel to the same area. The idea appears to be well thought out and set up with set rates which ensures the passenger only helps to cover costs and no profit is made. As we enter the school holiday period the area in which I exist provides such poor transport that even though I am on the main bus route the first train I can catch to anywhere is the 10 14 am and if travelling to Sydney arrive at Central 12 14 pm. To catch my last bus home I must be back at Central at 2 18 pm. Hardly time for doing anything. A service such as BLAR BLAR CAR would be useful when people are inflicted with such a lack of public transport. 

Someone
Someone from NSW commented:

The Public Health System offers free operations BUT to get that operation you have to see a Specialist in his rooms first. It cost me $190 for this so over $ 100 out of pocket. I had delayed seeing him for a year because of this cost, then the appointment lasted 3minutes, then I was put on a list 1 year ahead, this operation was cancelled last month and I've been given no new date and because it's over a year now have been told I have to see the Specialist again as a new patient, therefore costing me again, now over $200. Because of other medical expenses I will now have to save again for this, s o I'm feeling completely ripped off and at the Specialists mercy, leaving me in increasing pain for maybe another year As he is my only option in this regional area. Years ago you were able to see a Specialist in Outpatients and go on a waiting list which cost nil, I had 2 operations under this system and only had to wait 6 months and 10months. I'd like to hear if others are having similar experiences or not visiting Specialists at all due to the cost and therefore missing out on needed surgery or waiting till they become an emergency. Id like to see some system available where pensioners don't have to be out of pocket to see a Specialist or to have needed elective surgery. I'm hoping the FiftyUp Club can become an ADVOCATE FOR CHANGE in the Govt sector, especially health, as well as seeking discounts for its members. What do others think!?? 

Daniel
Daniel from NSW commented:

I agree the whole system is a rip off, I also delayed going to a specialist until i couldn't stand the pain anymore, hoping it would go away but it never does, and spending the money and having the treatment help i think it was probably worth it, but if i wasn't working i don't know how i would get on. 

Joy
Joy from NSW commented:

Travel and Health Insurance targeted for cheaper rates would be great as far as I am concerned! 

jix
jix from NSW commented:

I tried Coles insurance for home and contents,and found out quote nearly 900.00 more expensive The car insurance for our car $230.00 more than Apia 

Andrew
Andrew from NSW commented:

cheaper travel packages and travel insurance 

William
William from NSW commented:

I'm with Janette, my wife and I enjoy travelling so cheaper travel insurance would be nice. Health insurance costs are also on the agenda, so hard to keep up with $300+ payments every month. 

Someone
Someone from NSW replied to William:

Now this should be a priority. Help for those as unfortunate as you should be of high on the list of things this club should concern it's self with. Good on you for having the courage to mention it. 

Janette
Janette from NSW commented:

We like many enjoy travelling would it be possible to arrange travel insurance? Jan NSW 

Someone
Someone from NSW commented:

what about the health funs (non profit thats a joke) The over Fiftys would join if they weren't to dear.maybe less advertiseing and sponsorship for football clubs might help them get their rates down ........... Rick from N.S.W. 

Comment Guidelines