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.
Someone
Someone from NSW commented:

hi my name is jim live in bradbury a suburb of campbelltown was with nrma insured my 2007 hyundai terrican for replacement value $21000 paying $895.20 phoned coles quoted my 50 up now paying fro the same replacement value $21000 $393 thank you 50 up club 

David - FiftyUp Club
David - FiftyUp Club from NSW commented:

Hi Jim, thanks for the feedback. It's great to hear you've saved. 

Joel - FiftyUp Club
Joel - FiftyUp Club from NSW commented:

That's great news Jim. Congratulations! 

Someone
Someone from NSW commented:

Then why did Coles quote me $875 on my 2002 Toyota worth $4500? 

Someone
Someone from NSW commented:

Why Westpac??? As far as refinancing, UBank, backed by NAB is unbeatable, 4.62% is currently their standard variable rate, why go anywhere else? Perhaps 'cause they only offer an online service? I want to read your comments... 

Someone
Someone from NSW commented:

I've just turned 50 & look forward to receiving the benefits someone of my age deserves 

Henry
Henry from NSW commented:

Anonymous: You will, this club has the numbers and numbers speak loud and clear. I would strongly suggest you look at The Seniors Party (www.seniorsparty.org). They are looking at getting representation in Canberra. They are also looking at getting young blood such as yourself to see the Party continuing into the future. Please have a look at it, you won't be disappointed. 

Someone
Someone from NSW commented:

Another very serious catch is what follows, pasted from "terms & conditions": "Coles Insurance pays a fee of about $30 for every FiftyUp Club member who takes up the special offer. This fee is shared between consumer network One Big Switch and Macquarie Radio Network." Get the plot, now? 

Henry
Henry from NSW commented:

Anonymous: The days of a "free lunch" are by far past. Everything is a business, this one at least is doing something positive by getting discounts for all of us and they will due to the amount of members they have. In my case I am having a "free lunch" with The Seniors Party (www.seniorsparty.org): I joined them, it cost me nothing (free membership for the first year) and they are fighting to get representation in Canberra to turn our needs into policies, then push them to be passed. you are of a strong character, something this Party needs. Have a look at it, you will not be disappointed. 

Keith
Keith from NSW commented:

Keith again. The pension age should remain at 65. Those who wish to work longer should feel free to do without being discriminated against. 

Someone
Someone from NSW replied to Keith:

I agree 

Henry
Henry from NSW replied to Keith:

Keith: This is the reason I am now a member of The Seniors Party (www.seniorsparty.org). Once they get represented in Canberra will be fighting for these issues and the sooner the better: look at what hockey wants to do, not only he would like to decrease the $ value of the pension he also wants to increase the age where one is eligible for it. NOT ON, MATE! Have a look at this Party, I think you will like it. 

Someone
Someone from NSW commented:

As far as the 'fiftyup' club, can I hereby express some reservations? 'One Big switch' is not a new commercial venture, it 'pushes' a well known energy supplier, quite agressively, actually, with very little in it for the person who will switch to their brand, do the comparison yourselves, or let me know if I am wrong and the saving is really substantial... As far as our Insurance offer from Coles, why Coles, the dinosaure with a foot in every category of business? One of the two giants in Australia forming that lethal duopoly for us the consumer? Could other insurance companies be approched, please? 

Joel - FiftyUp Club
Joel - FiftyUp Club from NSW commented:

Hi Anonymous. FiftyUp Club is a joint initiative of One Big Switch and Macquarie Radio, as the website says. One Big Switch has used people power to unlock several special offers on electricity from a range of suppliers - including Click Energy, EnergyAustralia, Power Direct, AGL and Simply Energy. And we do talk to other insurers, of course - Coles Insurance made the best offer for our members on car insurance, so they won the day, but we hope there will be many more offers and they will come from whichever provider makes the best offers in future. 

Someone
Someone from NSW replied to Joel - FiftyUp Club:

"Best offers in future", you write, Joel, can I please, ask you: Best offers for 'One Big Switch' & Macquarie Radio', or best offers for us, the fiftyup club member? 

Keith
Keith from NSW commented:

Keith here. Got a quote from Coles comprehensive car insurance and all good. I note though that it is only good for the first year ??? 

Someone
Someone from NSW replied to Keith:

"good for the first year...."??? That would be a very serious 'catch'... 

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

That's right Keith, unfortunately it's standard in insurance to only quote for a year because if you have an at-fault accident and make a claim, for example, your premium could change. 

Someone
Someone from NSW commented:

Hi, Looking for employers that respect and appreciate that you still have a lot to offer despite being over 50. Soon to be unempl;oyed and want to keep working. 

Paul
Paul from NSW commented:

Would like to receive weekly newsletter with new and existing discounts/deals etc 

David - FiftyUp Club
David - FiftyUp Club from NSW replied to Paul:

Hi Paul, we send out a weekly newsletter and will send out extra emails whenever we have offers available. 

Henry
Henry from NSW replied to Paul:

Paul: I get monthly newsletters from The Seniors Party (www.seniorsparty.org), they are very informative and I believe as a senior made the right decision to join. Being a member of this club will get me the discounts I need (they have the numbers), being a member of The Seniors Party will give me representation in Canberra to ensure my needs are met and they stop Hockey making all sorts of savings using seniors pensions and benefits to do so. Have a look at this Party, I think you will find it to your benefit. 

Fred
Fred from NSW commented:

Sorry me again, on a roll up and listening to Adam Spencer's last day on 702 before switching to Ray. Which bank will not be charging us ( 50 uppers ) ATM fees for using other ATMs. Now Singo and team target a bank or two. If there is a bank or two, we could be persuaded to use their cards. I'm hot: get that bank to give a lower credit card interest rate to the 50 uppers. 

Henry
Henry from NSW replied to Fred:

Fred: I am with you here! Numbers will speak and those large banks will listen. I joined The Seniors Party (www.seniorsparty.org) to be represented in Canberra, where laws are made and others erased. Have a look at their site, you will find it very interesting, particularly now that they are offering free membership for the first year. You will not be disappointed. 

Comment Guidelines