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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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Richard
Richard from NSW commented:

I would not switch Insurers from APIA. I have not claimed with them but they have beaten other quotes by Hundreds of dollars on Car, Third Party and House and Contents. In Fact they total amount I paid in July for renewal of all the types od cover was only $200 more than NRMA wanted to charge for House and Contents cover. Providing they stick to reasonable yearly increases they have me for life. Their service could only be improved by offering a loyalty discount which I think a lot of other companies should consider. I would not have a bar of Coles Insurance offer because you can be sure that on renewal they won't be generous.. 

kelvin
kelvin from QLD commented:

reduce household costs car house insurance health insurance annual land valuation (rates) electricity 

Someone
Someone from NSW commented:

I think everyone who renews their licence for 5 years should have to complete a road rule test. All proffessional drivers have to and it keeps everyone updated with the road rules. Also anyone supervising a learner should have to go with a driving instructor to make sure they are teaching the correct way. The government offers a free driving lesson in all states called keys2drive for supervising drivers & I think it should be mandatory for this lesson to be taken. Older drivers should complete a road rule rest, medical & driving test & have a refresher course at around 75-80 years old as this is when most aged drivers start to lose thier driving skills. 

Sandra
Sandra from NSW commented:

l would like a big law firm to take a class action on these big electricity,water &gas companies...for stealing our tax payers money ....that was to make sure our electicity,water &gas cheaper and only rises the same as % as our pensions the cpi.....and what right do they have in putting up prices when we can't get a rise for cost of living...and how come there's all these electricty companies supplying the same power using the same tax payers money power lines that we paid for years ago....l do believe need a class action for robbing us blind... 

Someone
Someone from QLD commented:

My dad is 90 and his driving capabilities are far better than some of the younger drivers on the road! His reflexes are still very good, and he has more road sense/safety than many a driver at any age out there. 

Lyn
Lyn from SA commented:

I just like to read the newsletter and see what others of my age are doing. 

finbarr
finbarr from NSW commented:

I switched my power company to click for a 17% discount. My present company called to say they could offer 19% discount not to switch. I refused but how much money are they taking off us if they can knock nearly 20% off and still make money?........Finbarr 

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

Hi Finbarr, that's a good point, but it's great to hear that we've stimulated competition in that way. Who was your present company? 

Rhiannon
Rhiannon from WA commented:

Please do not forget to include us for discounts in WA as we nearly always do not get as much discount as those in other states. Also The Rolling Stones are starting their Australian Tour here in Perth and it would be brilliant to get a discount for their concerts and other concerts. 

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

Hi Rhiannon, we are working on offers for WA so hang in there! Not sure we can get Stones tickets ... but let us know if you get some as we'd love to come! 

marg
marg from WA commented:

power and discounts. the more that join will influence companies forwarding decent discounts to the over 50's. 

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

Hi Marg. You are on the right track! Spread the word amongst friends and family because the more members will increase the bargaining power to allow us to negotiate competitive discounts. 

Rhiannon
Rhiannon from WA commented:

I live in WA and my Mum only had to have an eye test five years ago when she turned 75. She has been a terrible driver all her driving life but luckily has not had any accidents. 

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