Terms starting with T

Every Buhata Life Terms entry that starts with T, with its short definition.

T

Take-home payThe money that actually reaches you from a paycheck after taxes and other deductions are taken out, also called net pay or net income.

Tankless water heaterA water heater with no storage tank that heats water as it flows through, only when a hot tap is on. Also called a demand-type or instantaneous water heater.

Tantrum vs meltdownA tantrum is an outburst in which a child still has some control; a meltdown is a loss of control from feeling overwhelmed.

Target-date fundA mutual fund or ETF that shifts its mix of investments toward more conservative ones as the year in its name, usually a retirement year, gets closer.

Task batchingGrouping similar small tasks, such as email, calls or errands, and doing them together in one block of time instead of scattering them through the day.

Tax credit vs deductionA deduction lowers the income your tax is figured on, while a credit cuts the tax itself dollar for dollar, so a credit of the same size is usually worth more.

Tax dependentA qualifying child or qualifying relative you can claim on your federal tax return, which can open credits and a better filing status if every IRS test is met.

Tax-advantaged accountAn account the tax code rewards, such as a 401(k), IRA, HSA or 529 plan, where taxes are cut, delayed or skipped if you follow its rules.

Teacher gift amountHow much to spend on a gift for a child's teacher, which etiquette guides leave to you and some states and school districts cap for public school staff.

Team buildingDeliberate work, through activities, habits and how work is organized, to help a group of people work together better as a team.

Teen brainThe way the brain keeps developing through adolescence; NIMH says it finishes maturing in the mid-to-late 20s, with the prefrontal cortex among the last parts.

TeethingWhen a baby's first teeth push through the gums, usually starting around 6 months, often with drooling, chewing and sore gums.

TemperamentA child's inborn style of reacting to the world, like how active, regular, intense or quick to adapt they are, which shapes behavior from infancy.

Tenant rightsThe legal protections renters have, from federal fair housing and tenant screening rules to state and local laws on matters such as security deposits.

Termite inspectionA check of a home's foundation, crawl space and woodwork for termite signs like mud tubes and shed wings. Extension experts advise at least once a year.

Terrible twosAn everyday name for the toddler stage around age 2 when a child wants to do things alone but lacks the words for big feelings, so tantrums and "no" peak.

Thank-you notesA short handwritten or typed message thanking someone for a gift, a favor or their hospitality, ideally sent within a few days.

Thanksgiving timelineA plan that works back from Thanksgiving dinner to set when the turkey thaws, goes in the oven, rests, and when leftovers go in the fridge.

Theme park planningWorking out dates, tickets, park reservations, lodging, budget and a daily plan before a theme park trip, so the cost and the days hold no surprises.

Tickler fileA set of 43 folders, 31 for the days of the month and 12 for the months, where you file papers and reminders to reappear on the date you need them.

Tiger parentingA strict, demanding style that pushes children hard toward academic and musical achievement, named after Amy Chua's 2011 memoir "Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother."

Time blocking vs timeboxingTime blocking plans your whole day in blocks of time; timeboxing gives one task a fixed, maximum slot and ends with a stop and a review.

Time trackingRecording how much time goes to each task or type of work, either to see where your hours really go or to keep the hours records pay depends on.

Time-outA short, set break in a time-out spot after a misbehavior a child was warned about, about one minute per year of age in CDC's toddler guidance.

Tipping house cleanersGiving a house cleaner extra money beyond the price of the service, either at visits or once a year, which is a choice with no official rule.

Title I schoolA school that receives federal Title I, Part A money to help students from low-income families meet state academic standards, either schoolwide or for chosen students.

To-do listA written list of the tasks you plan to do, checked or crossed off as each one is finished.

ToddlerA child from 1 to 3 years old, the stage CDC's parenting guidance places between infancy and the preschool years.

Toilet ringA stained line inside a toilet bowl at the water level. A mineral ring from hard water needs an acidic cleaner, since bleach won't lift it.

Token economyA reward system where a person earns tokens, like stars or points, for target behaviors and trades them for chosen rewards.

Toothbrush replacementSwapping an old toothbrush for a new one. The American Dental Association advises every 3 to 4 months, or sooner once the bristles look matted or frayed.

Top-down cleaningCleaning a room from its highest surfaces down to the floor, so dust and crumbs knocked loose land on areas you haven't cleaned yet.

Total compensationThe full value of what an employer pays for your work in a year: base pay plus bonuses and the employer's spending on benefits such as insurance and retirement.

Towel washing frequencyHow often to wash towels. Cleveland Clinic advises at least once a week for bath towels, and more often in a humid bathroom or when someone is sick.

Toxic workplaceA workplace where disrespect, hostility, unfairness or abuse are common enough to harm the people who work there; some of that conduct is also unlawful.

Toy rotationKeeping only a few of a child's toys out at a time and storing the rest, then swapping sets every week or so so the stored toys feel new again.

Traditional IRAAn individual retirement account where contributions may be tax-deductible, growth is tax-deferred, and withdrawals are taxed as income.

Transcriptionist payWhat a transcriptionist earns for turning recorded speech into written text; BLS put the median for medical transcriptionists at $19.43 an hour in May 2025.

Transitional kindergartenCalifornia's free first year of a two-year kindergarten program, open to every child who turns 4 by September 1 of the school year, from 2025-26.

Trash can cleaningWashing out a kitchen or outdoor trash can on a schedule, with a method that suits what the can is made of, to stop smells and grime building up.

Travel budgetA plan for how much a trip will cost in total, split into travel, lodging, food, activities and a cushion, set before you book.

Travel first aid kitA small, packable kit of first aid supplies, medicines and health papers a family carries on a trip so minor problems can be handled away from home.

Travel insuranceA policy bought for a trip that can repay prepaid costs if you cancel for a covered reason, and pay for medical care or evacuation while away.

Trick-or-treat safetyThe steps that keep children safe while trick-or-treating, from visible, flame-resistant costumes to walking rules and checking candy before eating it.

Tricky peoplePattie Fitzgerald's name for anyone, known or unknown, whose behavior should put a child on guard. Taught in place of "stranger danger."

Tripped breakerA circuit breaker that has switched itself off to cut power to one circuit, most often because too much was running on it at once.

Tummy timeTime a baby spends awake on their stomach while an adult watches, which builds the neck, shoulder and arm strength for rolling, sitting and crawling.

Tutor ratesWhat a tutor charges, usually by the hour or the session; the BLS median wage for employed tutors was $20.84 an hour in May 2025.

TutoringExtra one-on-one or small-group teaching outside regular class time, to help a student catch up, keep up or get ahead in a subject.

TweenA child in the years just before becoming a teenager, roughly the late elementary and middle school years. Another word for preteen.

Twice exceptionalA child who is gifted and also has a disability, such as a learning disability, ADHD or autism, as the National Association for Gifted Children defines it; often written 2e.