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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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GARY
GARY from QLD commented:

If you drive for 50 or more Years,obviously you know how to drive,a Driving Test won't make much difference, however a Medical Certificate I would not object to ,as long you are physically fit there should be no Problems aside Age Discrimination. 

Philip
Philip from NSW commented:

We all drive a car (almost) but being on a pension there are very few discounts for us from vehicle repair shops even a full Tune up service at a discount would be a really big help at the moment $240 to $350 is more than a weeks pension, so I have to split it up, new spark plugs, then Grease & Oil / Filter, Air Filter lastly check timing. over 6 weeks 3 pension days as saving for this event just doesn't happen. 

Kathryn
Kathryn from QLD commented:

You often see in the news that an elderly person has had a significant accident, often with devastating results. They're often not just a little accident which is more common for any of us to have. Why take the risk when it's just a simple check? 

harold
harold from NSW replied to Kathryn:

Great, Give the elderly a driving test, after all they only are responsible for less than 6% of road accidents And whilst we're on this subject, as the age group 18-20 is responsible for 75% of all road accidents, (Source. NRMA) Let's ban them entirely. The age group 20-30 cause 20%, they can only use the road between 10 am and 3 pm. Problem solved 

Beverley
Beverley from NSW replied to harold:

Sounds great in theory Harold! BUT . . . many in those age groups need to go to work - pay taxes so we can have our pensions . . . and there isnt many 10-3pm jobs! 

harold
harold from NSW replied to Kathryn:

True, the media like to get on to an elderly drivers accidents, even relatively small ones where no one is hurt. It's far more newsworthy than the accidents with 18-20 year olds when a multiple, or even a single pile up with a severe injury or death. The harshest comment in those cases is usually "Speed was perhaps a factor." or "Perhaps they were texting at the time". The elderly seldom do these. It seems that the elderley, being less vocal perhaps, are a prime target for those who just like to hear their own voice. 

Colin
Colin from QLD commented:

In the matter of car and house insurance, important as cost is, the behaviour of the particular insurer when you are unlucky enough to have a claim is even more important. DO THEY PAY UP promptly and without duck shoving ? My small Winnebago is insured with a company which charges a bit more but If anything happens they are wonderful. That is the real test, not the premium difference of a hundred dollars, the claim can be many thousands. Plenty of cheaper insurers behave like the cheap air lines - abominably but it is not just a matter of a missed flight or a narrow seat ! Your flooded house or crumpled car is much worse. 

Graham
Graham from QLD commented:

Drivers should be tested from 80 years...I personally know a man in WA who is just about to turn 85 and is thrilled that he doesn't have to do a test....he's been driving for a number of years blind in one eye and requires an injection in the other to prevent blindness. Our concern is for his passengers and also other drivers on the road. Realize that for many it takes away their independence but what if they cause an accident that could permanently disable or cause death to another. We are one country and the rules should be uniform throughout the whole of Australia. 

harold
harold from NSW replied to Graham:

Driving test and medical test are two different things. I've been driving since I was eighteen, now I'm 81. I have 20-20 vision in both eyes, don't use glasses for reading or driving, I walk several kms per day, In my driving history I've had one accident in 1964. I am Fitter than some of the much younger drivers that are on booze or drugs. And I do not use a mobile while driving. And I'll still have to do a test. I's discriminatory. 

Beverley
Beverley from NSW replied to harold:

Put very simply Harold, and yes . . . under those circumstances, why do the older members of society need policing? 

Margaret
Margaret from QLD commented:

All drivers should be retested not sure how often and just a driving test , ,be very costly, yes, but so are accidents. 

Helen
Helen from NSW commented:

I believe drivers over 85 yrs should be tested yearly but young drivers should be tested more often, some shouldn't even have a licience 

Dawn
Dawn from NSW replied to Helen:

I agree with these comments entirely, the young are too young at 16 in some areas to be on the road, 21 was a good balance, this would also help ease a lot of the congestion on roads and older is wiser, the younger ones have no understanding of patience or really some don't care that others suffer from their impatience and lack of patience. 

Beverley
Beverley from NSW replied to Dawn:

In the main - Oh so true Dawn. And at this time of the year - schools out, "P's" license now in hand and car in the drive - LETS GO!!! Having JUST COMPLETED their testing one would think they were all fresh in their minds but . . . NO! Speed limit signs might as well be invisible - consequently lane changing becomes a sport - and the more sedate law-abiding motorists are the ones playing diversionary tactics. So who is it that needs testing? Mind you - the testing isnt the issue. They do EVERYTHING by the book when they so desperately want the piece of paper - then it is no holes barred - (while there are definitely exceptions, there seems a higher percentage of different coloured "P's" breaking rules. 

Beverley
Beverley from NSW replied to Helen:

. . . apologies - to finish comments - re "first year only" insurance quotes - EVERY YEAR I go through the process of checking who has the best coverage and most competitive deals. Sadly this is the way it has become. It is a minefield and time consuming but when T&C's are altering constantly - unfortunately we cant be complacent. And they DONT advise us! I recently discovered for the price of a phone call - I received 20%+ off my electricity bill! And I have been with THAT provider for YEARS. Same with telephone. I make it my business to call them every 6-12 months - and ask is there a better deal than the one Im on. Makes me cross and I ask myself "why should I have to do this?" but . . . at the end of the day - in many cases - loyalty is worth zilch. 

James
James from NSW commented:

Always get competitive quotes when your policy is due. I did yesterday and then went back to NRMA who I've been with since 1972. NRMA got within $20 of 2 other quotes when I rang them. Coles were cheaper by $40 but decided against based upon reviews on their site. . 

Bronwyn
Bronwyn from NSW commented:

Westfarmers General Insurance operates out of Melbourne. My only concern is: will I get the excellent service I've had from AAMI? 

teresa
teresa from NSW commented:

Drivers over 85 years of age should be tested yearly. This is not only a safeguard for the senior driver but also for others who use the road. 

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