How can I tell where a file will be saved?

Question

I realize that sounds a bit slow, but I'm working on a project with many differen files (Keynote, iBooks, Pages, etc.). I make ever effort to work from one external drive, and usually succeed, but occasionally I grab a file from one of the backup drives. And when I do, it gets saved to that backup drive rather than the working drive. Thus my caution, and a desire to be able to double-check where a file's being saved.
I can't figure out how to do that. When I want to check I have to search the recent file and see where it's located using the path indicator in Finder.
I hope I've missed something simple.
Thanks

Answer 1

If you open a file from another drive, then that will be its save location unless you Duplicate and save or use Save As. So, if you open, edit, then save, it will save to the exact same location it was in.
If you Duplicate, then Save (or Save As), it will present the file save dialog to pick the location and name.
If you don't want to edit the files on the backup drive, you should lock them so you cannot save over them. That will force the system to tell you it cannot be written and choose another location.
There is nothing that will ask you for a destination every time you do a plain save. That would drive everybody nuts.
If the backup drive you are using supports versions under OS X, then you can lock the originals.
Or, you can lock them in the Finder. Get Info, and check the lock checkbox. In Lion, all files would auto-lock, but everyone complained about how terrible that was, so it is now gone in Mountain Lion. Sounds like something you could use.