Florida Budget Guide · Published October 24, 2026 · AI-assisted planning guide. No independent professional review is claimed. Editorial policy.
An equal monthly electric payment can make cash flow smoother while a separate account balance builds underneath it. This worksheet is for the household that wants to reconcile the amount paid with the actual cost charged before changing plans or moving out. The important question is whether recent payments have covered the service already used. An accurate true-up record explains three different amounts: what the household has used, what the provider has billed, and what has actually been paid. Those amounts can move on different statement dates.
Define the charges before doing the math
Begin with the last reconciled statement and follow the account forward one billing period at a time. A payment arrangement is not proof that electricity became cheaper, and an account credit is not the same thing as an interest-bearing savings balance. For opening budget balance, identify whether the statement treats a debit or credit as positive. For actual service charges, use posted charges for the exact periods being reconciled. For payments credited, match payment dates to the account ledger rather than bank intent. For exit settlement, ask when the provider collects or refunds the remaining balance.
Compare consistent scenarios
Compare staying on the arrangement with leaving it using the same actual service charges. Show the remaining balance separately from the next regular payment. Ask how the provider settles credits or amounts owed when participation ends rather than assuming a final month will look like the usual equal payment.
Turn the worksheet into a documented decision
Request the provider’s explanation of its reconciliation timing and any planned payment adjustment. Check whether a recent high-use period, estimated read, unpaid fee or payment posting caused the difference. Keep enough cash for the documented settlement instead of spending a credit shown before the final account review.
Build your own itemized estimate
Use this topic-specific checklist to collect the actual scope and written amounts. Keep the quote date beside each figure; an unknown charge should stay blank until checked.
| Cost or decision | What to verify | Your amount / date |
|---|---|---|
| Opening budget balance | Identify whether the statement treats a debit or credit as positive | __________ |
| Actual service charges | Use posted charges for the exact periods being reconciled | __________ |
| Payments credited | Match payment dates to the account ledger rather than bank intent | __________ |
| Exit settlement | Ask when the provider collects or refunds the remaining balance | __________ |
Worked example with fictional inputs
These figures demonstrate the arithmetic only. They are not Florida market prices, current fees, or provider quotes. Follow the units named in each input.
- Actual annual charges
- 2,280.00
- Annual payments
- 2,160.00
Calculation: actual_annual_charges - annual_payments
Illustrative result: 120.00 USD
Illustrative arithmetic using invented planning inputs, not a Florida tariff, provider quote or market-price claim. Replace every input with your own documented figure.