Glossary of life skills terms, EveryWomanKnows

A

Abdominal thrusts: Quick inward and upward pushes just above the navel, used with back blows to clear a choking adult's airway. Used in: What to do when someone is choking.
Actual cash value: An insurance payout for an item's value after wear, rather than the cost of a new one. Used in: Do I need renters insurance; What homeowners insurance covers.
Adult protective services: The local public agency that looks into reports of abuse, neglect or exploitation of older or vulnerable adults. Used in: What is a power of attorney; How to hire in-home care for a parent.
Advance directive: A written record of the medical care you would or would not want if you could not speak for yourself. Used in: What is a health care proxy; What documents to gather for aging parents.
Anchor: A plug or toggle set into drywall so a screw can hold weight where there is no stud behind it. Used in: How to hang a heavy mirror or shelf; How to patch small holes in the wall; How to assemble flat-pack furniture; What to put in a basic toolbox.
Anti-lock brakes: A braking system that pulses the brakes in a hard stop so the wheels keep turning and you can steer. Used in: How to drive on snow and ice.
APR: The yearly cost of a loan including most lender fees, used to compare offers on the same footing. Used in: What mortgage terms mean; How to read a loan estimate; What documents you need to file taxes.
Assessed value: The value a local assessor sets on a property for calculating its property tax. Used in: How to read a property tax bill.
Assisted living: A residence that provides housing, meals and help with daily tasks, licensed by each state. Used in: Questions to ask when touring assisted living.
Auto-injector: A prescribed device a person with a severe allergy uses to inject their own emergency medicine. Used in: How to help someone with a severe allergic reaction.

B

Back blows: Firm blows between the shoulder blades with the heel of the hand, used with abdominal thrusts for a choking adult. Used in: What to do when someone is choking.
Backup codes: One time codes saved in advance that let you into an account if your second sign-in step is lost. Used in: How to set up two-factor authentication; How to recover a hacked account.
Beneficiary: The person named on an account or policy to receive it when the owner dies. Used in: How to open a retirement account; What to know about your household finances; How to check and update your beneficiaries; Do I need a will and what goes in one; What to check during open enrollment.
Bone density: A measure of how much mineral is in your bones, checked with a scan to screen for thinning bones. Used in: Health screenings every woman needs by age; What every woman should know about menopause; How to protect bone health as a woman.
Brace: Gently tightening the muscles around your middle to keep your trunk steady during a movement. Used in: How to do a squat with good form; How to lift something heavy without hurting your back; How to treat a minor burn.
Brag file: A running record of your wins, praise and results at work, used for reviews and raise requests. Used in: How to ask for a raise; How to keep a brag document; How to resign professionally; How to accept a compliment.
Breaker: A switch in the electrical panel that cuts power to a circuit when it is overloaded or faulty. Used in: First time living alone checklist; How to use a space heater safely; What to do when the power goes out; How to find and turn off your main water valve; How to reset a tripped breaker.
Budget: A plan that gives each part of your income a job before the month starts. Used in: How to make a budget that you keep; How much should be in an emergency fund; How to open a retirement account; What is a 401k match and am I getting it; How to talk about money with a partner; Signs of financial abuse in a relationship; and 11 more.

C

Carbon monoxide: A gas with no color or smell, made by burning fuel, that can poison people indoors without warning. Used in: First time living alone checklist; How to test a smoke and carbon monoxide alarm; How to use a space heater safely; What to do when the power goes out; What to do in the first week in a new house; How to make a home maintenance schedule.
Carry-on: The bag you take into the airplane cabin, within the airline's size and weight limits. Used in: How to pack a carry-on only; How to get through airport security faster.
Closing disclosure: The final statement of a mortgage's terms and costs, given at least three business days before closing. Used in: How to read a loan estimate; How to read a closing disclosure.
Coercive control: A pattern of behavior one partner uses to monitor, isolate and control another. Used in: Signs of coercive control.
Cold snap: A short spell of unusually cold weather, when pipes, cars and people need extra care. Used in: How to prevent frozen pipes; Signs of frostbite and hypothermia.
Contingency: A condition in a purchase contract, such as an inspection, that must be met by a deadline. Used in: What to expect at a home inspection.
Copay: A fixed amount you pay for a covered visit or prescription, set by your plan. Used in: What deductible, premium and copay mean; What to check during open enrollment.
CPR: Pressing hard and fast on the center of the chest to keep blood moving when someone's heart has stopped. Used in: Heart attack symptoms in women; How to do hands-only CPR; What to do when someone is choking; What to say when you call emergency services; What to do when there is lightning.
Credit report: The record of your loans, cards and payment history that lenders use to judge you as a borrower. Used in: How to build credit in your own name; How to check your credit report for free; Signs of financial abuse in a relationship; Mortgage preapproval vs prequalification; What to gather before a divorce.

D

Danger zone: The temperature range between 40 and 140 degrees where bacteria grow fastest in food. Used in: What to do when the power goes out; Safe cooking temperatures chart; How to freeze food safely.
De-escalation: Calming a tense situation with a low voice, distance, open hands and a way out. Used in: How to de-escalate an aggressive person.
Declarations page: The summary page of an insurance policy showing its limits, deductible and who is covered. Used in: What homeowners insurance covers.
Deductible: The amount you pay yourself before an insurance plan starts to pay for a claim or care. Used in: Do I need renters insurance; What homeowners insurance covers; What deductible, premium and copay mean; What to check during open enrollment.
Digital legacy contact: Someone you name in a phone or email account to reach your data after you die. Used in: How to use a password manager; How to set up a digital legacy contact.
Door stop: The strip on a door frame the door closes against, where weatherstrip goes. Used in: How to weatherstrip a drafty door.
Door sweep: A strip fixed to the bottom of a door to close the gap above the floor. Used in: How to weatherstrip a drafty door.
Durable power of attorney: A power of attorney that keeps working if the person who signed it can no longer decide. Used in: What is a power of attorney.

E

Emergency fund: Savings kept only for surprises such as a job loss, a repair or a move, so they do not become debt. Used in: How much should be in an emergency fund.
Escrow: An account a mortgage servicer uses to collect and pay your property tax and insurance bills. Used in: What mortgage terms mean; How a mortgage escrow account works; How to read a property tax bill.
Exemption: A reduction in the taxable value of a home, such as one for a primary residence, where you qualify. Used in: How to read a property tax bill; What to look for in HOA documents.

F

Family health history: A record of conditions in your parents, siblings and grandparents that can change your screening timing. Used in: How to write down your family health history.
Flapper: The rubber seal at the bottom of a toilet tank that lifts to flush and drops to hold water in. Used in: How to unclog a toilet; How to fix a running toilet.
Frostbite: Freezing of the skin and tissue, often fingers, toes, ears or nose, that leaves them numb, pale and waxy. Used in: Signs of frostbite and hypothermia.

G

GFCI outlet: An outlet with test and reset buttons that cuts power fast when current leaks, used near water. Used in: How to test a GFCI outlet.
Go-bag: A packed backpack of water, food, power, first aid, copies and cash you can grab in minutes. Used in: How to pack an emergency go bag; How to prepare for a severe storm.

H

Health care proxy: A document naming the person who can make medical decisions for you if you cannot. Used in: What is a health care proxy; What documents to gather for aging parents; What is a power of attorney; How to get permission to talk to a parent's doctor; How to set up a caregiving binder.
Heat stroke: A life threatening rise in body temperature with confusion or fainting that needs 911 and fast cooling. Used in: Signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
Hip hinge: Bending forward by pushing the hips back with a long back, the base of every safe lift from the floor. Used in: How to hinge at the hips to lift safely; How to lift something heavy without hurting your back; How to cool down and stretch after a workout.
HOA: A homeowners association: the body that sets rules and collects dues in some neighborhoods and buildings. Used in: What to look for in HOA documents.
Hotline: A confidential phone and text line staffed by trained advocates, such as the national domestic violence hotline. Used in: What to know about your household finances; Signs of financial abuse in a relationship; How to share your location with a friend safely; How to keep your drink safe when you go out; Signs of coercive control; How to check who can see your location; and 5 more.
Hydroplaning: When a film of water lifts the tires off the road so the steering goes light and grip is lost. Used in: How to drive safely in heavy rain.
Hypothermia: A dangerous drop in body temperature that starts with shivering and fumbling and can lead to confusion. Used in: Signs of frostbite and hypothermia.

I

In network: Doctors, pharmacies and hospitals that have a contract with your health plan, usually at lower cost. Used in: What deductible, premium and copay mean; What to check during open enrollment.
Inspection report: The written findings of a home inspection, with photos, listing safety issues, failing systems and upkeep. Used in: How to read a home inspection report; What homeowners insurance covers; How to make a home maintenance schedule; Questions to ask when touring assisted living.

L

Lien: A legal claim on a property for an unpaid debt, which can block or cloud a sale. Used in: How to read a property tax bill; What is title insurance; How to hire a contractor.
Lien waiver: A signed note from a contractor confirming they were paid and give up any claim on your property. Used in: How to hire a contractor.
Loan estimate: The standard three page form a US lender sends within three business days of a mortgage application. Used in: How to read a loan estimate; How to read a closing disclosure.
Lug nuts: The nuts that hold a wheel on a car, loosened and tightened in a star pattern. Used in: How to change a flat tire.

M

Medical ID: Emergency health details and contacts on a phone's lock screen that responders can read without unlocking it. Used in: How to set up emergency contacts on your phone.
Menopause: The point twelve months after a final period; the years of change before it are called perimenopause. Used in: Health screenings every woman needs by age; What is the pelvic floor and why it matters; What every woman should know about menopause; How to protect bone health as a woman; How to measure your bra size.
Mortgage insurance: Insurance that protects the lender, usually required on a conventional loan with a small down payment. Used in: What mortgage terms mean.
Move-in inspection: A dated, photographed record of a rental's condition on the first day, used to protect the deposit. Used in: First time living alone checklist; How to do a move-in inspection with photos.

O

Out of pocket maximum: The most you pay for covered care in a plan year, after which the plan pays covered costs in full. Used in: What to check during open enrollment.

P

Password manager: An app that creates, stores and fills strong, unique passwords behind one master password. Used in: What to know about your household finances; How to set up two-factor authentication; How to use a password manager; How to recover a hacked account; How to set up a digital legacy contact.
Pelvic floor: The layer of muscles at the base of the pelvis that supports the bladder, bowel and uterus. Used in: What is the pelvic floor and why it matters; How to do a squat with good form; How to hinge at the hips to lift safely; How to do a push-up if you can't do one yet; How to do a glute bridge for a stronger back; How to do a dead bug exercise; and 10 more.
Pilot hole: A small hole drilled first so a screw goes in straight without splitting the material. Used in: What to put in a basic toolbox.
Points: Upfront fees paid at a mortgage closing to lower the interest rate. Used in: What mortgage terms mean; What to expect at a home inspection.
Power of attorney: A legal document naming someone to act for another person in money or legal matters. Used in: What documents to gather for aging parents; What is a power of attorney; How to set up a caregiving binder.
Preapproval: A lender's letter, after checking your credit and documents, stating how much it may lend. Used in: Mortgage preapproval vs prequalification.
Premium: The regular amount you pay to keep an insurance policy or health plan active. Used in: How a mortgage escrow account works; What is title insurance; What deductible, premium and copay mean; What to check during open enrollment.
Principal: In a mortgage, the amount borrowed; in a power of attorney, the person who gives the power. Used in: What mortgage terms mean; How a mortgage escrow account works; What is a power of attorney.

R

Reflective triangles: Folding warning triangles set behind a stopped car so other drivers see it in time. Used in: What to do if your car breaks down alone; What to keep in your car emergency kit.
Renters insurance: A policy that covers a tenant's belongings, liability and somewhere to stay after a covered loss. Used in: First time living alone checklist; Do I need renters insurance.
Replacement cost: An insurance payout for the cost of a similar new item, without taking off for wear. Used in: Do I need renters insurance; What homeowners insurance covers.
Reserve study: A report comparing an association's savings with the repairs it expects to pay for. Used in: What to look for in HOA documents.
Respite care: Short term care that gives a family caregiver a break. Used in: Signs of caregiver burnout.
Retirement match: Money an employer adds to your retirement account when you contribute, up to a set rate. Used in: How to check your credit report for free; How to open a retirement account; What is a 401k match and am I getting it; How to find hidden bank fees; How to prepare for a job interview; How to check and update your beneficiaries; and 3 more.
Return grille: The large vent that pulls room air back to the furnace, often where the air filter sits. Used in: How to change the air filter in your furnace.

S

Safe room: The lowest, innermost room with no windows, where you shelter in a severe storm. Used in: How to prepare for a severe storm.
Screening: A test offered to people with no symptoms to find a condition early, on a schedule by age. Used in: Health screenings every woman needs by age; How to do a breast self-exam; How to write down your family health history; How to get through airport security faster.
Security deposit: Money a landlord holds against damage or unpaid rent, returned after move-out under state rules. Used in: How much should be in an emergency fund; How to open a retirement account; What is a 401k match and am I getting it; How to read a lease before you sign; How to find hidden bank fees; How to do a move-in inspection with photos; and 1 more.
Special assessment: An extra charge an association bills owners for a large cost on top of regular dues. Used in: What to look for in HOA documents.
Sponsor: A senior person at work who uses their influence to put your name forward, unlike a mentor who advises. Used in: How to find a mentor or sponsor.
Stalkerware: Hidden software that lets someone secretly track a phone's location, messages or activity. Used in: How to tell if your phone is being tracked.
Stroke: A blocked or bleeding blood vessel in the brain; sudden face, arm or speech changes mean call 911. Used in: How to write down your family health history; How to improve your balance at home; Signs of a stroke to know.
Stud: A vertical wooden or metal beam inside a wall that can hold heavy screws. Used in: What to know about your household finances; When period pain is not normal; How to use a drill for beginners; How to find a stud without a stud finder; How to hang a heavy mirror or shelf; How to assemble flat-pack furniture; and 2 more.
Survivor benefits: Social security payments that may go to a widow or other family members of a worker who died. Used in: What every woman should know about social security; What to do when a spouse dies checklist.

T

Talk test: Judging exercise effort by talking: sentences at moderate effort, only a few words at vigorous effort. Used in: How to walk for exercise with good posture; How hard should exercise feel.
Tire pressure: How firmly air fills a tire, checked cold against the number on the driver's door jamb, not the tire wall. Used in: How to check tire pressure; What do dashboard warning lights mean.
Title insurance: Insurance against hidden problems in a property's ownership record, such as an old lien. Used in: What is title insurance.
Trip sharing: Letting a trusted contact follow your route and arrival in real time from your phone. Used in: How to check your rideshare is the right car; How to walk home alone safely at night.
Two-factor sign-in: Signing in with a second step, such as a code or a key, on top of your password. Used in: How to set up two-factor authentication; How to use a password manager; How to spot a romance or job scam; How to recover a hacked account; What to change on your phone after a breakup.

W

Weatherstrip: Foam or rubber strip fixed around a door or window to seal out drafts. Used in: How to weatherstrip a drafty door.

Last reviewed September 28, 2026. First published September 28, 2026.