Philanthropy is doing some good to the society or world out of your love for humanity. It refers to contributing to the welfare of the less privileged in financial or non-financial terms. Philanthropy is a giving practice that an individual as well as an organization or business can initiate. However, at an individual level, it is a significant aspect of life that is fulfilling for those who are resourceful and fortunate enough to extend help to others. Source of ultimate happiness: Philanthropy or giving through some kind of charity is made a practice by many individuals, as it offers them immense happiness to help those who cannot help themselves. Whether you feed hungry children or educate adults, the philanthropic acts activate your brain's reward center. Research has proved that the acts of giving trigger the happiness hormone called dopamine in the brain. This neurotransmitter can actually make you feel good when you help others. No doubt, the number of charities across the country has been increasing constantly. Fulfillment of responsibility: It is every individual's responsibility to give back to the society and support its growth and development. By doing philanthropic deeds, you receive the satisfaction of fulfilling your responsibility towards the society. Whether you gift money, expertise or time to someone, you will feel contended by doing it. Touching lives: You not only feel happy when you donate money to the needy, but also feel good when you touch the lives of others in numerous ways. When you interact with the underprivileged, you listen to their stories to know their needs and thus, gain a new perspective. You find bliss when you feel that you could change the situation for someone due to your efforts. Promoting connectedness: Doing philanthropic acts or charities lets you inspire several others who are capable of being philanthropists. Through giving, you are not only supporting lives,but are also motivating others to contribute to the community and develop a sense of global connectedness in the society. Strengthening identity: The acts of giving let you explore your own self. Whether you contribute to a social cause through crowdfunding or spend time in training handicapped people, you understand yourself better and strengthen your own identity. Philanthropic acts also improve your social image and benefit you financially or non-financially through newer associations that you form because of your philanthropist's image. Social experience: Apart from all the benefits you derive from philanthropic acts, you gather social experiences by supporting specific communities and organizations. You meet, interact, and associate with like-minded people and social entrepreneurs. This allows you to be giving at a collective level, which can be much more impactful in comparison to individual donations and individual efforts you put in.

Being a part of a charitable cause helps promote the greater good and can also make the donor feel good about themselves. Apart from the good vibes, it comes with another advantage, i.e., tax benefits. However, before filing tax returns, there are certain guidelines you shouldn’t overlook. Read further to know how you can make the most of your philanthropic endeavors.

• Itemize to claim the contribution To claim a tax deduction for charitable donations, you need to itemize the contributions on tax return’s Schedule A, using the form 1040. You can file taxes with the help of an accountant or by yourself using a computer software.
• Contribute to a qualified tax-exempt charity Typically, charities need to have a 501(c)(3) status to qualify as non-profit organizations such as educational institutions, hospitals, certain government agencies, and humanitarian foundations. However, establishments such as churches or other forms of religious entities are not mandated to acquire a 501(c)(3) status from the Internal Revenue System.
• Collect the receipts To claim tax benefits, it is imperative that you save the receipts and appraisal letters from the charitable organizations. Moreover, if the donation made to the charity exceeds $5000, then you need to get a professional assessment done in order to claim the tax deductions.

Claims excluded as tax deductions under charitable donations Some contributions stated below can’t be used to file tax deductions –

• Donations made to individual people
• Donations made to political campaigns, political parties or committees
• Donations made to business organizations or labor unions
• Donations made to schools and hospitals which aren’t NPOs (non-profit organizations)
• Donations made to the governments of foreign nations

Limits on charitable donations The IRS has levied certain limits on the amount of tax benefits one can claim using charitable donations. Typically, your claims of charitable contributions shouldn’t exceed 50% of the adjusted gross income. In some cases, depending on the type of contribution made, such as a property, the limit on the tax benefit can be further reduced to anywhere between 20% and 30%. If your charitable donations are more than the prescribed limit, then the surplus amount will be moved to the next year’s tax filing season, so that you can claim your benefits then.

Automotive navigation systems have come a long way; they are now smarter and more affordable than the GPS systems manufactured five years ago. The low production cost has led many auto manufacturers to incorporate built-in navigation systems in the newer car models. A good-quality dedicated GPS navigation device on a car's dashboard gives the best driving directions and helps to reach the required destination without any glitches. A GPS navigation device has a GPS receiver, a display screen for maps and driving instructions, a speaker, a computer-based processor, and a map database. Almost all navigation systems use the same mapping data in their database. The difference lies in how the data is displayed in each model and how a user can use the data. Here are a few popular GPS devices have been known to give the best driving directions:

• TomTom Go 600: This is a high-end GPS navigation system with a price of around $200. It has a 6-inch display screen that shows 3-D maps and gives live traffic information. Other features include a pinch-to-zoom display, an easy-to-read interface, and advanced lane guidance. This navigation system gives lifetime map updates for North America.
• Garmin DriveAssist 50 LMT: This one of the most innovative navigation systems that show the best driving directions. Its features include handling navigation, giving real-time navigation alerts, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and "Go Alert" warnings for distracted drivers. Also, it has a built-in dashboard camera. All these features are available for the price of an entry-level GPS navigation system. The price of this system is around $300.
• Magellan SmartGPS 5390: This popular GPS navigation system has been around in the market for quite some time now. With a drop in the price, this navigation system packs in a lot of useful features at an affordable price; the features include social media and Bluetooth integration, connecting with Foursquare and Yelp to display information regarding shops and restaurants in the area, and displaying gas stations with the lowest fuel. The price of this system is around $157.
• 2016 Tesla Model X: This is one of the most powerful navigation systems that is known to give the best driving directions. It has a super-responsive voice-command system that barely takes time to set up the best directions. It also has a smart pop-up feature that gives options for alternate routes in case there is traffic as any other problems in the usual route. With a price of around $59,100, this navigation system has a large touchscreen system, which has become a standard feature.

Cybersecurity, also known to us as computer security is a field that broadly envelopes tools and systems associated with monitoring, mitigating, and preventing online threats. There is an advanced use of innovative technology in a bid to combat hackers, cyber terrorists, network outages, and other lesser-addressed technical problems. There is a clear shift in the reliance on information technology at home as well as the workplace, which has led to a massive bunch of students opting for online cyber security degrees. There are many national security departments, which have grown to provide great opportunities for young individuals to serve the country as well as find a stable job. Similarly, to meet the growing demand, there are quite a few online cyber security degree programs that the students can take up. Following is a list of some of the best online cyber security degree programs. Western Governors University The B.S. in Information Technology-Security by Western Governors University is one of the best online cyber security degrees. This is mainly because the program is based on five areas of study, which include systems and services, networking and security, IT business, data management, and scripting and programming. The university was established back in 1995 by 19 U.S. governors in a bid to redesign an existing traditional high education system. In line with the online degree, the students must demonstrate competencies in passing certificate exams like Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) Security certification and the CCNA Routing and Switching certification. To execute the successful completion of the online cyber security degree, the student must have a capstone project and must develop a portfolio. The school stands out with one of the best online cyber security degree programs as it is highly affordable. The tuition for this program is 50% lesser than most of the other online institutions. Excelsior College Excelsior College is home to around 39,000 students spread over various undergraduate and postgraduate programs right from healthcare and business administration to criminal justice and cybersecurity. It also provides an opportunity for adult learners, especially the ones that underrepresented in higher education. The B.S. in Cyber Security offered by Excelsior College has three different options – a general cybersecurity track, a cyber operations concentration that requires the students to acquire knowledge to solve cyber incidents, and a healthcare concentration that requires the students to obtain the specialized cybersecurity skills so that they can address the regulatory needs of the industry. In every program, the students will receive training in fields like cyber attacks and defenses, cryptography, risk management, and computer forensics. The students are also exposed to hands-on applications through simulations, exercises, and labs in cybersecurity. The perks of this university include tweaking of online teaching schedules, affordable tuition fees, and input from well-known industry leaders. Furthermore, it qualifies as one of the best online cyber security degrees as it meets the standards set by the National Security Agency. Liberty University Students that are planning to attend Liberty University can avail of an amazing education system and a Christian foundation. The catalog held by the university for their degree programs is extensive as it holds around 120 bachelor’s degrees and 97 master’s degrees. A large chunk of these offerings by the university is delivered 100% online. The B.S. in Information Technology–Data Networking and Security Program provides the students with expertise and knowledge that are essential for success in data security. The online cyber security degree includes topics such as cyber security, network security, and web architecture and security. Since the college has a solid Christian foundation, their courses follow a stringent biblical worldview in their teachings. This university has one of the best online cyber security degrees with its availability of hands-on experience through projects that include real-world applications in the courses taught by industry leaders. There is an online academic support set up for distant learners, including an online library, access to study aids, writing resources, and databases. Liberty University also offers low tuition rates along with flexible payment plans, scholarships, and a few other forms of financial aid.

The invention of the electric blankets is a technological advancement that has made life easy for millions across the country. Some people wonder if electric blankets are worth considering. They can come in handy if you always feel cold or when you want the additional warmth. A simple warm blanket might not provide you with the comfort and cushiony feel of electric blankets. Yes, there are wires, but the heating that the electric blanket provides you is worth it. Most manufacturers provide you with reliable electric blankets that are safe to use. Earlier, there used to be a problem of overheating, which has been curbed in the latest electric blankets in the market now. In addition, extra features have made electric blankets all the more sophisticated and safe for use. Here are our top picks.

Best electric blankets in the market

Velvet Plush Heated Blanket by Sunbeam

This top-rated product is soft and cushiony. It heats quickly and has the ability to automatically adjust as per your ideal temperature. The blanket comes with impressive 20 heat settings and an automatic on/off setting. The dual control helps you and your partner choose your setting separately as per your need. The blanket is dryer and washer safe.

MicroPlush Sherpa Electric Heated Blanket by Biddeford

This heated blanket comes with 10 heat settings. It automatically shuts down after 10 hours to ensure maximum saving. You can select your ideal temperature and the blanket will consistently remain at that level. It heats quickly and comes with a digital display that makes it convenient. The temperature range is vast. You can wash the blanket in your washing machine.

Microfleece Low Voltage Electric Blanket by SoftHeat

This is the best energy-saving blanket in the market now as it utilizes only  25 volts. The king- and queen-size blankets come with dual controls that are easy to understand. Due to the placement of the wiring, even heating takes place. There is preheat function, but it takes a longer time to heat. Their blankets are wash and dryer safe.

Luxury Plush Warming Blanket by Serta

This product helps you save energy too. It uses low-voltage mechanism. There is a backlit display that helps you adjust when it is dark. The wires are fitted well and are thin. This ensures you do not feel the wires when you pull over the blanket. This helps you sleep peacefully without any disturbance. There is a preheat option as well.

Best Electric Blanket Throws

Listed below are some of the latest and best throws available in the market today.

Microplush Heated Throw by Sunbeam

This throw is made with a plush polyester that is extremely soft. It has the ability to keep you warm for a little longer even when you turn the heating off. It comes with three levels of settings: low, medium, and high. It shuts off after 3 hours. It is available in 18 colors and performs marvelously. It is easy to use and comes with ThermoFine Warming mechanism.

Reversible Heated Throw by Sunbeam

This heated throw by Sunbeam helps you stay cozy on your couch. The throw is extremely fluffy and soft. It has a heat sensing methodology of knowing when to adjust the temperature. The cord measures 6 feet, which is helpful if you have power source far from your sofa. The top of the throw is made of mink, while the lower part is made of sherpa. When selecting electric blankets and throws you need to consider its usage and the type. While most blankets do come in various sizes, others might be limited. If you do not intend to use them for long, it is better to reconsider splurging a lot. However, always choose quality electric blankets so that you get to sleep comfortably with consistent warmth all through the night. Sunbeam’s blankets and throws are known for their fantastic performance which makes them great. Warm up your winter night with any of these quality products and give yourself a refreshing sleep.

Effective and efficient business intelligence dashboard implementation is imperative as the deployment could potentially make or break decision-making processes. As data analysis and perception expert Stephen Few says, data dashboards are visual displays of the most important data and information one needs in order to achieve one or more goals, hence, their importance.

Listed below are some business intelligence dashboard (BID) practices to help get one started:

Know Your Dashboards
Before one chooses a specific dashboard design, it is imperative to know what the different kinds of traditional dashboards are available in the market. One can choose from Strategic, Analytical, or Operational Dashboards. Strategic BIDs aggregate key company health indicators and help identify opportunities for organizational expansion. Analytical ones are engineered to provide detailed data trends and analyses. Operational BIDs track the overall health of the company, focusing on KPIs which depend on many factors.

Effective and concise design
A BID should be designed with two objectives avoiding data clutter and focusing on communication, for a visually appealing design may or may not be effective. BI dashboards should be able to communicate the right, fact-based information concisely and quickly, group elements based on their proximity/location or similarity, and ideally be enclosed by visual borders for easy and quick viewing. The dashboard should also be able to draw the attention of the users to the most relevant and important pieces of information on the page, for which it shouldn't be crammed with charts or have a non-appealing interface.

Options to customize
A great BI Dashboard allows users to customize the dashboard according to their needs, requirements and demands, allowing them to view visual charts and associated visual charts the way they want. This will make way for timely and appropriate decision-making.

Web-based online dashboards
With the entire world being online now, working on the extremely dynamic dashboards offline doesn't make any sense, especially since BIDs are imperative in delivering and analyzing real-time data and information. An offline dashboard is not only archaic, but also obsolete. BIDs are invaluable tools to track business performances, so it only makes sense that they work online, allowing for mistakes to be corrected immediately, exceptions to be reported instantly and crises to be avoided before they snowball. This in turn increases efficiency and improves productivity.

Users and managers ought to keep in mind these basic best dashboard design practices and tips while designing the business intelligence dashboard.