Personal finance tips: How to stick to a budget, and more

Three top pieces of financial advice — from the best time to book flights to prioritizing student loans

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The best time to book flights

When it comes to booking a flight, timing is everything, says the Associated Press. Airfares today "fluctuate so frequently" that many vacationers simply don't know if they're getting a good deal or not. Luckily, travel site CheapAir.com has crunched the numbers, and according to its data, 54 days in advance is generally the ideal time to book domestic flights. But other factors can change the equation. For instance, "airfares to popular destinations tend to go up sooner," which is why the website recommends a "prime booking window" of 29 to 104 days before departure. For holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas, five or six months out is a good rule of thumb. But when it comes to bargain international rates, "forget about it."

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Sergio Hernandez is business editor of The Week's print edition. He has previously worked for The DailyProPublica, the Village Voice, and Gawker.