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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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Glenn
Glenn from NSW commented:

I am hopeful todays Government will listen and learn to the Ffity Up Club members, appreciate their concerns, but don't pontificate, implement changes for the good of all. 

Kye
Kye from NSW commented:

Yes electricity is exceedingly high i don't use much and not more than i ddid months ago so what am i paying for?? 

Jeff
Jeff from NSW commented:

I would also like to add to Harold's statement and have all license holders to undertake a written or oral road rules test as there are an awful or to lazy to obey many rule (ie round abouts). 

Harold
Harold from NSW commented:

And in regards to the Coles offer of car insurance I compared and they were almost $300 per year more. While I could perhaps call and they would save me money the first year, this pricing indicates to me where it would go afterwards. But perhaps I am the exception. 

Virginia
Virginia from NSW replied to Harold:

Harold check on my comment this afternoon at 1.17pm I am not switching to Coles Insurance as they will bite you back in 12 months time. They were happy to write off $850.00 !! Mark my words. 

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

Hi Harold, Coles Insurance guarantees to beat your current premium by at least $100 in the coming year. The first, quick quote you get is not what your second-year premium will be. And if you're not happy when you find out what your 2nd year premium is, you can always switch! 

Harold
Harold from NSW replied to Joel - FiftyUp Club:

I understand that Joel. But my feeling is if you want my business then give me your best price straight up. What they are doing is buying my business after they find out what I am paying now. Sorry but I am not interested in leaving a company who has treated me right for a company who takes me as a sucker. 

Gerry
Gerry from NSW replied to Joel - FiftyUp Club:

Yeah Joel, you won't suck me in- easy for you to just brush us off with a 'YOU CAN ALWAYS SWITCH'? Have gotten very tired of short-term promises and renegotiating with a new company every year? Where are the loyalty benefits? What income are you on Joel? 

Harold
Harold from NSW commented:

While talking about drivers over 85 having to go for yearly testing, why not expand on this to include those drivers whose licenses have been suspended for excess demerit points, excessive speeding, or drink driving. In my view these people would be just as much a hazard on the road as those over 85. Make them do it yearly until they have went five years without the offence occurring again. 

Sandra
Sandra from NSW commented:

Electricity costs keep going up. Have turned everything I can off and out of the plug. 

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

The team is looking into electricity and hopefully there will be a special offer available in the future! 

Someone
Someone from NSW commented:

I would like to see the club teach people how to run a budget whilst on the pension The pie can only be cut into so many pieces 

Zoe
Zoe from QLD commented:

To Jan from Qld: Don't you think this doubled up lady whom you take to be 85 needs her car more than perhaps you? You seem to be quite young and agile - but hang on your turn at the 70s and 80s will soon be upon you! Then do comment again. Zoe. 

Jan
Jan from QLD replied to Zoe:

I am 62 and I have a disability but if I were as frail as this lady I wouldn't be risking my life or others by driving. 

Jan
Jan from QLD commented:

It is all well and good to stop driver testing and rely on doctors certificate but how many of these older drivers actually travel on the highways/motorways where the speed limit is 100-110 but only travel at 80 because they are unsure of driving faster - this is what causes accidents. I witnessed an elderly lady (over 80) stumble from a car in the car park at Australia post in Hervey Bay and with her walking stick staggered to the post office - she was all bent over and obviously looked like it was difficult for her to walk. I got out of the car park before she got back into the car but if it was difficult for her to walk how could she drive safely - she should not have been approved by her doctor. 

Helen
Helen from QLD commented:

how to spread our dollar further would be good. 

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