Latest news with #JoelGibson
News.com.au
6 days ago
- Business
- News.com.au
‘Telstra tax' nears $1000, consumer advocate says
The premium 'Telstra tax' will tick up to $1000 for customers next month when prices are hiked, a consumer advocate says. Researcher and advocate Joel Gibson says the premium paid for Telstra stacks up to about $300 to $400 per device or service. The analysis is comparing Telstra's offerings with the bare bones, cheapest options and does not consider Telstra's additional hardware, coverage and servicing guarantees. 'The 'Telstra tax' just keeps getting bigger and bigger each year, with millions of households probably paying more than $1000 extra now for the privilege of being with Telstra,' Mr Gibson said. 'There's nothing wrong with paying a tax if you know that you're paying it and you know what you're getting in exchange for it, but we suspect many are unaware they have a choice.' Mr Gibson acknowledges Telstra had the best regional coverage. Crunching the numbers for consumers using Telstra internet, a mobile plan and mobile phone, Mr Gibson says consumers can save $1000 per year. A former journalist and editor, Mr Gibson is now a consumer spending advocate under the title Joel Kills Bills. He and telco comparison site Whistle Out did this latest analysis together, using Telstra's July 1 price hike figures as a reference. From July 1, Telstra's standard NBN plan will be $408 more than budget provider Exetel. Recent government testing shows Exetel has faster download speeds; however, the consumer must pay for the modem. NBN Co is also raising its wholesale prices 3 per cent this coming financial year that the telcos are passing on to the consumer.
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Coles, Woolworths trick to get $100 off grocery bill every month: ‘Beat them at their own game'
A simple trick allows Aussie shoppers to 'beat Coles and Woolies at their own game' and get as much as $100 off their grocery shop each month. Groceries are a major source of stress for many Aussie households right now, making it crucial to stretch every dollar. Coles and Woolworths both have subscription schemes, Everyday Extra and Coles Plus Saver, for shoppers. They cost $7 a month each and in return you can get 10 per cent off a grocery shop once a month, capped at $50, plus perks like boosted rewards points. Money expert Joel Gibson told Yahoo Finance the schemes were designed for shoppers to do all their shopping at the one place, but there was nothing to stop you from signing up for both schemes and getting both discounts. RELATED Surprise winner after Woolworths and Aldi comparison grocery shop: 'More expensive' Accountant's ATO warning after $20,000 tax refund is refused: 'Getting stricter' Centrelink change to see thousands more Aussies eligible for age pension 'What Coles and Woolies fear more than anything at the moment is the so-called 'cross shopper', somebody who shops at more than one place and doesn't do their whole shop at Coles or Woolies,' he said. At $7 each, though, you would be spending $14 a month to get the discount. Plus, to get the full $50 off, you'd need to spend $500 in a single shop. Gibson said the schemes could save you money but only if you 'squeeze the value out of them' and be a bit "cunning" by shopping the specials.'For a big family that means doing a $400 or $500 shop once a month with that supermarket and stocking up on non-perishable stuff that's 50 per cent off or cheap home brands,' he told Yahoo Finance. 'But it also means not shopping at that supermarket every week just because they're giving you a discount once a month. That's what they want you to do. 'As for households with smaller budgets, it's not as easy to come out in front. But it might still be worthwhile spending $7 to save $20 or $30 if every dollar counts for you right now.' Gibson recommended shoppers still visit other stores like Aldi, Chemist Warehouse, Bunnings and Amazon where possible to save money. Recent Finder research found a third of Aussie shoppers were shopping at multiple stores to find the best deals as grocery prices rise. Grocery spending reached a record high in January, with the average household reporting spending $209 per week, up 11 per cent from $188 per week for the same time last year. Gibson shared the savings tip online and many Aussies shared how they were maximising their grocery discounts. 'Husband and wife can get one each, giving you two a month," one shopper wrote. "But we now get three a month because we shopped around for car insurance and Woolies was cheaper plus gave us the 10 per cent off once a month." Another said: 'Double points [are] useful, I have the Woolies one and get $10 off all the time. I also pay through ShopBack. I got $95 off a $500 shop this month." Other Aussies recommended waiting until the Everyday Extra subscriptions go on sale, with it often available for half price so you can get a $70 annual subscription for just $35. 'One trick would be to take out a single subscription for $7 a month and shop with a friend or family member so you can really fill the cart on one day a month,' Gibson said. 'Note that you can also get access to the Woolies 10 per cent discount via their mobile plans and insurance policies so if one of those works out for you, you might not need to pay the $7 per month'Sign in to access your portfolio
