Digitize Your Directions

by Mary Ann Romans | More from this Blogger

12 Mar 2009 12:29 PM

I absolutely love having a GPS in the car. For me, it is a necessary tool, since I am very prone to getting lost...very prone. I could go on and on about how I was headed in one place and ended up somewhere else, even in a different state. But for those times when I don't have the GPS or when the newest roads aren't available on it, I have found a little trick that really helps.

Sure I could look the directions up online and then print them out, but about 50 percent of the time, the online directions send me the wrong way or send me the longest way. I haven't found these services to offer the reliability that someone like me needs. A good old updated paper map can be helpful, but who wants to get into a car accident trying to unfold the map or find the right spot?

Instead, I take a photo of the map using my digital camera. With the digital photo, I can zoom in and scroll as needed and follow my path on the map. I can also take photos of landmarks or ask the people at my destination to do so. This way, I can see exactly what someone's house looks like, or be reminded of a difficult turn or hidden road. For someone who gets lost easily, this can be a lifesaver.

I can also use the movie feature on my digital camera to take a movie of the map with a voice over of the directions. Call it a "poor man's GPS system," if you like. Try it the next time that you need to go somewhere unfamiliar and tell me what you think.

Do you have any other driving tips? Summer travel will be here before you know it. I would love to be able to compile some great advice.

Mary Ann Romans writes about everything related to saving money in the Frugal Blog, creating a home in the Home Blog, caring for little ones in the Baby Blog and now relationships in the Marriage Blog. You can read more of her articles by clicking here or subscribe to the blog using the subscription box on the right.

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Learn more about Mary Ann Romans

Mary Ann Romans is a freelance writer, wife and mother of three children. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, the kids and a 16-pound cat.

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Tashi (1013) 13 Mar 2009 02:30 PM

My cell phone service provider has a special gps type of feature. But at an additional $10 a month, I would rather try to figure out another way to *find* my way. Even if I could afford one, I don't want a system for my car. If I'm able to look up directions ahead of time, I like to do so on the computer, then e-mail them to myself, in addition to printing them out. Granted, as you said, the online directions aren't always correct. But I find that this works pretty well for me. I tend to encounter navigation problems sometimes, when taking new bus routes or going someplace new. On occasion, I end up having to call the bus company or people at my destination. Luckily, that doesn't happen too often.

Tashi (1013) 13 Mar 2009 02:31 PM

P.S. I forgot to mention, because I have e-mail capabilities on my cell phone, sending directions to myself aids in my travels. I don't have a home computer, which is why I utilize my cell phone e-mail abilities all the time.

Mary Ann Romans (26886) 16 Mar 2009 06:27 AM

For me, the GPS is invaluable. It has really taken away a lot of stress for me when I drive.