Tolerable Error (TE) is a term that auditors use.  Auditors know that people make mistakes, in fact, there are so many mistakes that they allow a predetermined amount.

People are going to make mistakes somewhere along the line, some big some small.  Factor this into all areas of your life with your own predetermined tolerance for error and an allowance for doubtful accounts.  If you think your spouse, friends or parents will not occasionally screw things up, or if you think you are beyond error, then you should think again.  It is an unrealistic expectation that will only set you up for failure. Things go wrong for three main reasons:

1. Accident.  There is essentially nothing you could have done to prevent this event from happening. For example, it rains during your entire honeymoon, or a person runs through a stop sign and totals your new car.
2. Negligent.  If you had paid closer attention you probably could have avoided this situation.  For example, you forgot to set you parking brake while you were parked on a hill and it rolled back into a tree, or you forgot to make a car payment and it hurt your credit score.
3. Intent. It was your purpose to make things complicated, cause harm or get revenge. For example, …is there really an example needed here?

Go ahead and forgive people for accidents; they just happen.  Miscommunication is where many errors and misunderstandings occur.  Sometimes these are accident and sometimes they are negligent.  In either case, be very tolerant of errors in this area, it will make your life easier.

For example, If you send your husband to the store with a grocery list that includes 10 things, go ahead and assume that he will only get 90% of it right, it is for your own benefit.  Do not be surprised when he gets skim milk instead of 2%, or if he gets brown eggs instead of white, or when he gets spinach because he thinks your little girl likes Popeye.