There are now many websites, of varying quality and usefulness, dedicated to doling out advice to this end, and even folks promoting themselves as “energy consultants”. 

Sadly though, the only real way consumers can save on electricity  prices, if connected to the grid, is to cut back on use. This means many a difficult and serious decision needs to be made regarding lifestyle. With expenses such as food and clothing, cheaper alternatives can always be chosen, which just isn't as easy as with electricity. 

There is a limit to how often a person can get a better deal from jumping to one energy provider from another, and energy saving appliances and devices are often too expensive for families and those on a tight budget. So often, in order to save money, one must have money.

Also, as electricity prices increase, dependence upon items which use electricity is increasing.  An odd situation indeed.

The cost of living is skyrocketing, leading to those tricky questions about expenditure other than just power. Is a large house really necessary, a large car in the city or suburbs, new clothes every season, new smartphones and upgraded computers … are people's egos really that fragile that displays of self value need be made through possessions?

Well, even if the answer is no, there is another problem in regards to excessive and unnecessary consumption. When the rate of consumption slows, the economy slows.  This is, of course, an extremely simplistic take on the national economy, but sadly based in reality.  

In order to stimulate the economy during the Global Financial Crisis, cash was issued to Australians in the hope it would be spent, and the economy stimulated. When we cut back on spending on retail goods, we are told businesses will suffer and jobs will be lost. While the recycling of goods could itself become an industry creating employment – for example, creating new clothes with the cloth from old clothes – there just hasn't been enough attention and credibility attached to this idea.

So, it would seem that we are stuck in a quagmire where we must consume recklessly, polluting the planet with waste and filling the waterways with packaging and other plastics, and, most difficult of all, creating a world in which  we are deeply dependent upon power consuming devices, while we pollute with discarded objects, gas, and the very coal used to produce the electricity fast becoming too expensive for many household and businesses.

What an insane paradox!  As things stand, the only way to save on electricity prices is to reduce its use, at a time when its use is becoming more intrinsic to daily life.  Eventually, there comes a time when no more belt tightening can be achieved. When small businesses close, families cut back on spending on all but necessities, jobs are lost and a nasty economic cause and effect sequence kicks in. We are about to enter into this, a very rough ride for many is ahead. With recent changes to penalty rates, a livable wage is a thing of the past for many, and all our living standards are reliant upon a vibrant economy. An economy where security and power lies with a few individuals and corporations/industries is feudalistic and stagnant. So, what are our esteemed leaders doing?  What is the plan for lowering energy prices, protecting living standards, and reducing pollution, waste, and the poisoning of our waters and farmland? A multi-billion dollar postal “questionnaire” which hold no legal weight.

It has been nearly two months since the very important Finkle report.  This is something which affects and every one of us. Electricity prices are about to get out of control. The solution?  Dig up the plebiscite corpse, and spend a fortune avoiding making a decision. Is this what living in a democracy amounts to?