| How to Track Mileage Without an Odometer Posted: 26 Mar 2018 05:00 PM PDT Whether you've got a busted odometer or you'd just rather not have to do a lot of mental gymnastics to calculate your annual mileage for work-related tax deductions, there are a couple simple ways to find out how many miles you're averaging. Downloading a mileage tracker app for your smartphone can take all the guesswork out of adding up your drive time by automatically ticking off the miles while you're on the road. If you only make the occasional business trip, consider simply plotting out your route and recording the estimated distance in advance. EditUsing a Mileage Tracker App - Download a mileage tracker app. Sophisticated, feature-packed programs like TripLog and MileIQ make it easy for users to keep up with how far they've traveled on a given trip. There are also more affordable options for those who are just interested in documenting distance without a lot of extra bells and whistles, such as Mileage Expense Log and Klicks.[1]
- Many of the more reputable apps require you to pay a small one-time charge, or a monthly subscription fee. This can be well worth it to people who drive a lot and would rather not have to tally up their mileage the old fashioned way.[2]
- Not all of these apps may be available on your phone's operating system. If you have a serious need to track your mileage, it may be a good idea to upgrade or switch models.
- Choose your preferred tracking mode. Most apps feature an auto-tracking feature that begins recording as soon as you're in motion. Others allow for more manual control, including options to start and stop the tracker at will or set a specified beginning and endpoint for each individual trip.[3]
- Auto-tracking can come in handy if you tend to be forgetful about inputting important app info yourself.
- Take some time to familiarize yourself with what your chosen tracker can do before you take it on the road with you.
- Drive to your destination. Once you've decided which mode best suits your needs, start your engine. The tracker will log each mile you travel, updating you in real time. All you have to do is drive.
- Mileage tracker apps use GPS signals to follow your movement along a certain route. Some may even offer turn-by-turn navigation to help you find your way around!
- Due to the amount of processing power required to keep them updating, these apps can drain your phone's battery pretty fast. Make sure you're fully charged before you head out, or keep a portable charger in the car with you.[4]
- Stop the tracker once you get where you're going. If you're in auto-tracking mode, the app should stop running when the car does. Otherwise, you'll need to press the "stop" or "end route" button to indicate that your journey is over. In either case, it's good to check—there can sometimes be a small margin of error in the tracker's ability to gauge the vehicle's movement.[5]
- If you forget to stop or reset your tracker, you may end up with an inaccurate number.
- Record or archive your mileage for future use. At the end of your trip, the app will display an overview of how far you've traveled, your total time in the vehicle, and even an estimate of how much of a write-off the trip was worth. Be sure to log your data so you can refer back to it come tax season or time for scheduled maintenance.[6]
- You'll usually have the option of exporting your trip statistics as a PDF or CSV file that you can then email to yourself, or you can sync your data to the cloud and check it anytime you want.[7]
- If you opt to convert your mileage to a document, print it out at your earliest convenience. Having a physical copy will prevent you from losing your information in the event that the app crashes or you misplace your phone.
EditEstimating Your Travel Distance - Plot out your intended route. Determine the best way to get where you're headed. The simplest way to do this is to plug your destination into your phone or GPS. You might also look up possible paths on a roadmap, if you're somewhere without a reliable connection.[8]
- Since this method is somewhat less precise, it's best reserved for professionals taking the occasional business trip or those who don't need to document their driving habits frequently enough to pay for an app.
- Pay attention to how far you're going. Most smartphone-based navigation apps will display the exact mileage beside each individual route. With a traditional map, you'll need to use the scale and other elements of the key as a guide to find your overall distance. The important thing is that you have an approximate number in mind to serve as a metric.[9]
- Read roadmap scale carefully to make sure you understand it. On a standard driving map, the scale will usually be about 1 : 250,000. This means that 1" of distance on the map is equal to roughly 3.95 miles of highway.[10]
- Don't forget to factor in the distance of your return trip, as well. If everything goes without a hitch, you can simply double the number listed on the map.
- Drive to your destination. For now, just focus on sticking to your scheduled timeframe and following the rules of the road. You can go back and make detailed calculations later on. Don't attempt to tab out your mileage while operating a vehicle, as this could lead to accidents.
- Account for any extra miles along the way. If you happen to run into a detour, or you're forced to turn around to pick up a coworker with a flat tire, make a note of it. To be as accurate as possible, program unforeseen detours and side trips into your GPS so you'll have a concrete figure to work with.[11]
- Use your best judgment to approximate the additional distance when strict recordkeeping isn't important—it doesn't have to be exact as long as it's in the right ballpark.
- If you're tracking your mileage for tax purposes, don't include any non-business-related stops you feel compelled to make, such as personal visits or sightseeing adventures to out of the way places.[12]
- Write down your total estimated mileage. Adding the number of unexpected miles to your original projected mileage will paint a picture of the amount of ground you've covered since you started out. Be sure to hold onto this number for your records.[13]
- Add up each individual outing as you go over the course of a year to find your annual mileage. Note this figure in the margins. It can be a big help come tax time.
- Odometers are imperfect instruments. In many cases, there won't be a significant difference in the mileage you work out for yourself and the one given by your vehicle, as long as you're careful.[14]
- Having an idea of your mileage can be useful for writing off business-related travel expenses or knowing when to bring your vehicle in to have work done.
- Use other commuting clues, like interstate mile markers or the number of times you've refilled your gas tank, to get a better sense of how far you've gone.
- Purchase a trip diary and stash it in your vehicle's glovebox. That way, you'll be able to jot down your mileage on the move so you won't forget it later.
- Be wary of free mileage tracker apps. These typically use less precise trip metrics, and are often loaded with intrusive advertisements.
EditThings You'll Need - Smartphone
- Mileage tracker app
- Roadmap
- Pen and paper
- Calculator (optional)
- Trip diary (optional)
EditSources and Citations
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| How to Develop Film in a Darkroom Posted: 26 Mar 2018 09:00 AM PDT Film photography is a great way to capture personal, unique, and long-lasting photographs. The first step in turning the captured exposures on your film camera into physical prints is developing the film. Taking the time to develop your film correctly is critical if you want your prints to turn out beautifully. To develop your film, you'll need some basic photography tools and chemicals, as well as access to a dark room. EditIn a Hurry? Before you develop your film, remove it from the cassette in total darkness and load it onto a film reel. Then, place the film reel in a film tank and close the tank. Turn on the lights and fill the tank with 1 part developer and 1 part water. Agitate the film periodically for several minutes, and then dump out the developer. Fill the tank with stop bath, and then fixer to finish developing your film. Rinse the film with water, soak it in a wetting agent for 30 seconds, and then hang it up to dry. For tips on storing your film until you're ready to make prints with it, read on! EditLoading Your Film - Take the roll of film you want to develop out of your camera. Depending on the kind of camera you're using, you may need to rewind the film into the cassette using the handle on the side of the camera. Don't open the film once you take it out or the light will ruin all of your pictures.[1]
- Bring your film into the darkroom and set up your work area. Don't worry about turning the lights off yet. Since you'll be working in complete darkness, you want to set up beforehand so everything you need is right in front of you. To load and develop your film negatives, you will need:[2]
- A film reel. The reel is what you'll load the film onto once you take it out of the cassette.
- A film tank. A film tank is a sealable plastic container that you'll develop the film negatives in.
- A cassette opener. You'll use the cassette opener to open the film so you can load it on the reel.
- Scissors. You'll need scissors to cut the film off the cassette.
- Turn off the lights and open the film cassette with the opener. At this point, there should be no light in the darkroom. If you can see in front of you, there's too much light. To open the cassette, hook the edge of the lid under the cassette opener. Then, bend the cassette to the side until the lid pops off.[3]
- Make sure your phone is turned off and put away so it doesn't light up and ruin the film.
- Take the film out of the cassette and cut it off with scissors. Unroll the film until you reach the small plastic cassette in the center. Then, cut through the film where it meets the piece of tape that attaches the film to the plastic. Since it's dark, you'll need to feel where the tape is with your fingers.[4]
- Load the film onto the reel. To load the film, start by holding the reel in one hand and the end of the film in the other. Then, find the slit on the edge of the reel with your fingers and slide the film into it. Once the end of the film is secure on the reel, twist the side of the reel back and forth to wind the rest of the film onto it.[5]
- When you're finished, all of the film should be securely wrapped around the reel. There shouldn't be any film sticking out.
- Place the reel in the film tank. First, slide the tank's detached core through the hole in the center of the reel. Then, place the reel flat in the bottom of the tank so the core is sticking up in the center. Cover the tank with the lid and tighten it into place by rotating it.[6]
EditAdding Developer, Stop Bath, and Fixer - Turn the lights on and mix 1 part film developer with 1 part water. The film developer and water mixture is what you'll use to develop your film negatives in the tank. You need enough of the mixture to completely fill the tank. The exact amount you should mix depends on the size of your film tank, but it's usually around of film developer and of water.[7]
- Mix the developer and water in a metal or plastic container, not in the film tank. You don't need to stir the developer and water together.
- You can find film developer online or at your local photography store.
- Use a thermometer to measure the temperature of the mixture. The temperature of the film developer and water mixture determines how long your film will need to develop for. Once you know the mixture's temperature, refer to the manufacturer's instructions for your film to see how long it will need to develop. Every kind of film is different, so it's important that you read the directions that came with yours.[8]
- If you can't find the developing times for your brand of film, try looking them up online.
- Film typically needs 8.5 to 11 minutes to develop.
- Pour the mixture into the film tank and set a timer. Pull the uppermost plastic lid on the tank off to reveal the funnel-shaped hole underneath. Do not unscrew the larger lid that's sealing the tank shut. Pour the developer and water mixture directly into the hole in the lid. Once all of the mixture is in the tank, cover the hole with the plastic lid and immediately set a timer for however long the film needs to develop.[9]
- Agitate the film periodically as it develops. Agitating the film means turning the tank over continuously with your hands to help spread the developer around. To agitate your film correctly, you'll need to use the following schedule:[10]
- First minute of developing: Agitate the film for 30 seconds. Then, place the tank on a flat surface for 20 seconds. After 20 seconds, agitate the film for the remaining 10 seconds of the first minute.
- Second minute of developing: Let the film tank rest on a flat surface for 50 seconds. Then, agitate the film for the last 10 seconds of the second minute.
- Subsequent minutes of developing: Repeat the same agitation and rest times you used in the second minute of developing for every minute until the film is finished developing.
- Pour the developer mixture out of the film tank. Take the uppermost plastic lid off the tank so you can empty out the mixture. You can pour the mixture down a sink drain.[11]
- Fill the tank with stop bath and agitate it for 30 seconds. Stop bath is a liquid chemical mixture that stops film from developing any further. Once your tank is filled with stop bath, agitate it for 30 seconds to help the mixture spread throughout the tank.[12]
- You can find stop bath online or at your local photography store.
- Pour out the stop bath and fill the tank with fixer. Fixer is the last chemical used in the development process. It helps stabilize your film so it can be exposed to light without getting ruined. Once your film tank is filled with fixer, seal it and follow the same agitation schedule you used for the developer mixture. The exact number of minutes you should leave the fixer in the tank depends on the kind of film you're using, but it's typically between 3-5 minutes.[13]
- You can find film fixer online or at your local photography store.
EditRinsing and Drying Your Film - Empty out the fixer and rinse your film with cold water. Now that your film has been soaked in fixer, it's safe to take the lid off the tank and pull the film reel out. Thoroughly rinse your film with water for several minutes to remove any leftover chemicals.[14]
- Soak the film reel in a container filled with wetting agent for 30 seconds. Wetting agents help water roll off the film more easily when it's drying. If you don't use a wetting agent, your film could develop streak or bubble marks on it.[15]
- You can find a wetting agent online or at your local photography store.
- Take the film off the reel and unroll it. To take the film off the reel, twist the sides of the reel in opposite directions and then pull them apart so the reel separates into 2 pieces. Then, slide the film off the reel and unroll it with your fingers.[16]
- Hang the film up to dry. Use a clip to hang the film somewhere high up where it can dry, like on a clothesline or wire rack. Clip one end of the film to the surface you're hanging it from, and attach another clip to the other end to weigh the film down so it's taut.[17]
- Let the film dry for several hours before you unclip it.
- If the darkroom you're in has a film dryer, hang the film up inside of it to speed up the drying time. With a dryer, it may only take the film 20 minutes to dry.
EditStoring Your Developed Film - Clean the film with a film cleaner to remove any streaks. Once the film is completely dry, lay it on a flat surface and examine it for streak marks. If you see any, soak a paper towel in film cleaner and gently wipe it across the surface of the film to remove the streaks.[18]
- You can find film cleaner online or at your local photography store.
- Cut your film into strips of 5 negatives. Cutting your film into smaller strips will allow you to store your film in plastic sleeves until you're ready to print them. Use scissors to cut the film into strips of 5 along the lines dividing the negatives.[19]
- Slide the film strips into plastic sleeves for protection. It's important that you keep your developed film safe until you're ready to turn it into prints. Plastic sleeves will keep moisture, smudges, and debris from getting on your film. Leave the film in the plastic sleeves until you're ready to make some prints out of your negatives.[20]
- Store the plastic sleeves in a binder or folder when you're finished.
- You can find plastic film sleeves online or at your local photography store.
- Practice using the cassette opener, reel, and film tank outside of the darkroom a few times so you're more prepared to use them in the dark.
EditThings You'll Need - Film reel
- Film tank
- Cassette opener
- Film developer
- Thermometer
- Metal or plastic container
- Scissors
- Timer
- Stop bath
- Fixer
- Wetting agent
- Clips
- Plastic film sleeves
EditSources and Citations
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| How to Wait for an Exciting Event Posted: 26 Mar 2018 01:00 AM PDT It's always fun to have an event to look forward to, but it can be hard to stay patient when you have to wait for something you're excited about. The more you focus on the future event, the more you want it to happen right away. Fortunately, if you keep a busy schedule, try new things, and focus on the present, time will go by before you know it. EditStaying Busy - Get some exercise. Besides being healthy, exercise can be a very effective way to distract yourself. It forces you to be present in your body instead of dwelling on what's in your mind. Try a yoga class, go for a run, or just take a few minutes to stretch.[1]
- Meet up with some friends. Going out and socializing can help take your mind off of the event you're waiting for. Talk to your friends about what's new in their lives or interests you have in common, but avoid bringing up the event that you're excited about, even if they're waiting for it too.[2]
- Tackle a project you've been putting off. Have you been meaning to organize your closet for months? Do you have a pile of old t-shirts you've been wanting to make into a quilt? Now is a great time to throw yourself into a project, whether it's practical or just for fun. It will take your mind off of what you're waiting for, and you'll get the satisfaction of finally accomplishing something you've been putting off.[3]
- Volunteer for a cause you believe in. Focusing on others can help take your minds off of things that are going on in your own life, so volunteering is an ideal distraction from waiting for your event. Think about some good causes that you care about and see if there are any charities or organizations that address them in your area. Odds are they would love to have a volunteer.[4]
- Local churches, soup kitchens, and animal shelters are usually looking for volunteers.
- Learn a new skill. Taking up a new hobby will occupy your mind and fill up your schedule so you'll have less time to think about the event you're waiting for. Try something you've never done before, or try several different things and see what you like best.[5]
- Drawing, writing, and music are great creative outlets, or you may want to try something physical like dance or martial arts.
- Get a part-time job to fill up your free time. Even if you already have a job, you may want to add a little more work to your schedule to stay busy while you're waiting for your exciting event. It will keep you occupied, and you'll be earning money at the same time. Look for something that fits with your schedule and will still leave you a little free time just to relax.
EditDistracting Yourself - Read a good book. A nice dose of fiction can be just the thing to take your mind off the event you're anticipating. Choose something that seems interesting or exciting and will hold your attention easily.[6]
- Comic books and graphic novels can also be very engaging ways to occupy your mind.
- Spend some time in nature. Slowing down and putting yourself in a peaceful environment can often help you feel more patient. Find a nice, quiet park or just hang out in your backyard. Focus on little details like bugs moving through the grass and wind in the trees.[7]
- Watch a gripping TV show. Television can be a great way to distract yourself when you're trying not to think about something, especially when you're watching something very exciting or intense. Find a series that interests you and turn it on when you need to distract yourself.[8]
- Take some time for self-care. When you can't stop thinking about something fun in the future, it helps to have fun in the present. Have a spa day where you pamper yourself with a bubble bath, or get a massage. Or spend a day curled up in bed with a good book or TV show.[9]
- Go to a public place and people-watch. Shopping malls, public parks, and town squares are all great places to just sit and observe other people. Bring a picnic and ask a friend to join you if you want. Focus on watching other people and pay attention to what they say, how they dress, where they're going, and anything else you can learn by observing them.[10]
EditLiving in the Moment - Try something new. Most people tend to engage their minds more fully when they're having new experiences, so if you really want to stop thinking about the event you're waiting for, just try something new. Take a class, visit a new place, or spend some time with people you don't usually hang out with.[11]
- Avoid keeping track of time. It can be tempting to count the days (or hours, or minutes) until your exciting event occurs, but it will actually make waiting even harder. Do your best to refrain from calculating how much time you have left to wait, or compromise and only allow yourself to count every few days or weeks.[12]
- Enjoy the anticipation. Waiting is hard, but it doesn't have to be a bad thing. Waiting for something you're excited about can be fun. If you change the way you think about having to wait, you may find you can actually appreciate the experience.[13]
- Practice mindfulness. Learning to slow down and be present can make waiting easier. Practice observing your thoughts without judgment, and notice how often you think about the event you're waiting for. Try focusing on small, simple details like your breathing or the sounds you hear when you're silent. Immersing yourself in your present surroundings will make it easier not to think about the future.[14]
- Keep the big picture in mind. It may seem like this exciting event is the only thing that matters, but you can remind yourself that it's only going to be one experience in your life and one day it'll just be one of many memories. There will be plenty of other exciting events on the horizon after this one. Taking the focus off of this particular event can make it easier to wait until it comes around.[15]
- No matter how excited you are, try to have realistic expectations, or no expectations at all -- that way you can just appreciate the event for what it is.
EditSources and Citations
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