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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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rhonda
rhonda from NSW commented:

Rhonda from NSW. The pension age should be lowered not increased to 70. If older people retired I would think it would create jobs at the other end of the market and increase jobs for younger people. Fiji has the right idea they retire at 55 to give work to the younger generation. 

Paul
Paul from QLD replied to rhonda:

Disagree...the simple fact of the matter is that if Australia is to continue to allow pensions at 70, or even 70 in the future something else will have to suffer..what would you like?...less money for hospitals, schools, aged care??..do the math, you don't have take the govt's word for it, research ABS. 

Paul
Paul from NSW commented:

Currently trying to get travel insurance for me and my bicycle, for a trip to Japan. Just for me is between $495 and $1032. The lower figure is from my regular insurer. Instead of being rewarded with better prices , as I age they increase them by around 10%. Currently on the market for a new place to live as the rent where I am now is way too high and I don't fit the bill for assisted housing. 

Paul
Paul from ACT replied to Paul:

I use Medibank Private for Travel Insurance (OS) as they are usually a bit cheaper but the thing I like about them is they are more lenient on pre-existing conditions - you know "old people gripes" - blood pressure, arthritis, diabetes etc. See how you go. 

gordon
gordon from NSW commented:

I realy want this site to work for us....but im thinking its only going to be a money making exersize for someone...I got a quote off coles insurance a month ago for my car,,i just did it again through the fifty up link and it is exactly the same price..so what is the bennifit ..ok they are cheaper but they were a month ago..again why is this so..explain why we are not getting miss led????? 

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

Hi Gordon, the discount is a $100 price beat guarantee, meaning if your current premium is cheaper or within $100 more expensive than a Coles Car Insurance quote, they will beat it by $100. See the FAQs on the offer page for more detail. 

john
john from NSW commented:

Insurance comapnies often increase the premiums knowing full well that people can be lazy and just pay up. I have found time and time again that if I get a new quote from the same company that I can get a considerable reduction from the renewal amount. Once you are on the books its expected that you will likely stay there despite rate increases...if you want to save money be active not compliant. 

Andrew
Andrew from NSW commented:

It would improve my premium by over $200. But be aware:- (a) You can not get the best premium if you want to choose your own Repairer. That will cost extra. (b) There is no guarantee the same offer will be repeated next year and this offer will only be available to new members for a limited time. 

Wesley
Wesley from QLD commented:

Hi We need to stop the NSW Govt from selling the Caravan parks that the older folk have made there homes Wes 

Terry
Terry from NSW commented:

it is time we stood up and again took control of our future and no leave it to others 

brendan
brendan from VIC commented:

recognize the need senior Aussies have and support their lifestyles. 

Pauline
Pauline from VIC commented:

This club seems to be aimed more at folk in NSW. I haven't seen one thing that want a discount on. I certainly don't want Coles insurance when I get a wonderful deal with Youi. Where are the decent discounts on electricity/gas etc? The weekly Times & Herald Sun had articles today about consumers using less & paying more. See Weekly Times: http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/article/2013/11/27/590413_national-news.html Where are the discounts from places like Kmart/Target, even smaller gift like shops. Seniors need to shop for Christmas, Birthday's etc. 

Karen
Karen from NSW commented:

A better deal on across the board products and hopefully stop this ridiculous idea of raising the pension age, imagine a 70 year old truckie driving a b-double down the freeways, not everyone is a white collar worker and can sit down all day long some do physical work that you could simply not do at the age. 

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