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.
Kelli
Kelli from QLD commented:

I want to unify with other like minded people and save on the ever rising cost of utility bills, as well as get good value for money. For example, if I ever have to make a claim that it will be honoured without finding that the contract isn't worth the paper it is written on. 

Kelli
Kelli from QLD commented:

I want to unify with other like minded people getting older and trying and save on these utility bills. I also want good value for money. I don't want to find that as I have paid these things for many years that if I ever have a claim it is not worth the paper it is written on!. 

Someone
Someone from NSW commented:

Tell the Federal Govt. that working past 65 in NSW won't work as NSW Liberals has legislated no work-cover for those over 60 

Henry
Henry from NSW commented:

Anonymous: We also need to tell the government we have found a Party that will fight for our rights and will no longer accept them taking $ from the old to cover their errors. It is called The Seniors Party (www.seniorsparty.org) and their main aim is to get representation in Canberra to fight for the needs of over 50's. Please go into their website and have a look at it. If I liked it the chances are you may too. 

Christine
Christine from NSW commented:

Yeah I'd like them to explain, Good on you Anonymous, for reminding us all as I forgot that one. 

Jenny
Jenny from NSW commented:

Raise awareness of self-funded retirees and how little assistance they can get. 

Henry
Henry from NSW replied to Jenny:

Jenny: Just for you to know. There is a Party called The Seniors Party (www.seniorsparty.org) that is looking at being represented in Canberra to fight for the needs of pensioners and self-funded retirees amongst other things. Pleas visit their website. I have a feeling you may just like it. And if you like it, so will your friends. 

Arlene
Arlene from WA commented:

Get better prices on Home & Car Insurance 

STEFAN
STEFAN from NSW commented:

Just received my renewal notice for the next year re comprehensive insurance from NRMA $106.00 lower than Coles online quote...also Coles agreed value up to $5265, whilst NRMA agreed value $6900...sorry but this little black duck is not falling for this scam....... 

Henry
Henry from NSW replied to STEFAN:

Stefan: I suppose is a case of 'you win some, you loose some" it happens everywhere. As luck would have it I found a Party that their main aim is to get representation in Canberra to assist the over 50's with their need. It's called The Seniors Party (www.seniorsparty.org). Please go into their website and have a look at it. I did and I became a member. You know why: because it gave hope, hope that they just could assist us with our needs and make them realised over there that getting older is an asset, a privilege, not a negative situation. Good luck! 

Vijay
Vijay from NSW commented:

We hope you can get discounts on restaurants , movies and holidays and flights and weekend accomodation and hotels in holiday resorts around australia...anything that over 50s do for relaxing and fun.. it would also be nice if we actually lobby government for a scaled up pension plan if we have contributed more in our taxes along the way and look after those who are under financial stress ....retirement village buy in plans etc 

Marion
Marion from QLD replied to Vijay:

WELL SAID ................. Vijay from NSW. 

Henry
Henry from NSW replied to Vijay:

Vijay: There is a group that called themselves The Seniors Party (www.seniorsparty.org). Their main aim is to get representation in Canberra to assist those over 50 with their needs. I called a travel agency to find prices for a tour to Kakadu National Park and I asked them if they gave discount to pensioner: of course replied this lady on the other side of the phone and quite proudly proceeded to tell me they give 2 dollars discount to pensioners, TWO DOLLARS! I felt I have just been insulted, Please visit their site (seniors, that is) and I believe you may just be pleasantly surprised. 

ANTONY
ANTONY from NSW commented:

Fifty up club should first cheek and see how COLES insurance is conducting and promoting they business before they take them on board...sorry guys I lost fait in you regarding getting a best possible price to us 50 and over customer ! 

ANTONY
ANTONY from NSW commented:

..Its interesting that Coles insurance don't say anywhere that condition they will beat you current renewal is only if you DISCLOSE you premium to them from you current insurance company...how genuine and legitimate COLES insurance really are I wonder ????its like seeing how much next door shop is selling goods before they will match that price...NOT ON ! 

Someone
Someone from NSW replied to ANTONY:

Good comment, I got a quote from Coles (without disclosing my GIO policy premium) and it was far above GIO's one. I have no intention of switching to COles only to find 12 months later their premium is sky high, and I can't go back to GIO without starting as a brand new customer and no loyalty bonuses. 

ANTONY
ANTONY from NSW commented:

just ask Coles insurance to give me a quote on the care and after all the question they ask me..how much is my renewal price which I didn't want to disclose to them..guess what...they give me $ 80 higher premium then my current renewal...when I told them that they say..ok..tell us how much you got it at the moment so we will beat it ... doesn't that remind us about coles and woolworts how to undercut small operator just to get they business to them selfs...( if they are that genuine then they should just give you best price they can regardless on anyone else offer) to me that is wrong way conducting business...sorry guys but Coles insurance taking us all for ride..! 

Comment Guidelines