These eight dates are when flights are at their cheapest

Deals on flights pop up year-round, but certain seasons are a goldmine for penny-pinchers. Clever jetsetters can score major discounts if they know where to look.

Do you know about the "Goldilocks Window" for booking holidays? It's pretty cool. The key is to nail the perfect time to book holiday flights—not too soon, not too late. Try to lock in holiday trips a couple of months ahead, but no biggie if you're off by a bit.

Hopper, a cool travel app, revealed some key dates to watch for deals. Airlines tend to slash prices when fewer people fly on these dates. While they didn't give specifics, think early January, late August, and mid-November for potential steals.

One should also be smart about when you jet off. With some clever planning around weekends and holidays, you can squeeze more vacation out of less PTO. It takes a bit of thinking ahead, but you can end up with longer trips without burning through all your days off.

Picture this: a 10-day getaway using only 3 PTO days. Sweet, right? Just plan your trip around a long weekend like Memorial Day or Labor Day. Take off Tuesday through Thursday after the holiday Monday, and boom - you've got a 10-day break.

A few other vacation times to consider are the beginning of New Year's, the wave season from January to late February for that dream cruise, Easter for a memorable spring break, or the ever-enticing Fourth of July, when many last-minute deals are usually offered on hotels or flights. You might save a ton on flights if you do. It could be the difference between that dream vacation and settling for something meh.

These dates are helpful, but remember that the travel market is a bit of a wild card. World events, the economy, and airline shenanigans can all mess with prices. Take COVID, for example—it turned the whole travel game upside down.

Get on those fare alert lists to catch wind of price drops and promos. Don't be afraid to check out different airports or travel dates - you might stumble on some savings. Flying to a nearby city and driving or taking the train to your final destination can sometimes save you a bundle.

See a crazy good deal? Jump on it fast. Prices change fast, and the best deals vanish in a flash. Know your dates and what you want - it'll help you grab those deals before they're gone.

Believe it or not, which day you book your flight can make a difference. People used to swear by booking on Tuesdays or Wednesdays, thinking airlines always dropped deals then. That's not really a thing anymore, though, so just keep checking throughout the week.

Booking earlier is usually smart for trips abroad. Look for international flight deals 3-6 months before you want to travel. Just remember that prices might change depending on your destination and travel time.

You might save a ton if you can be flexible about your travel dates. Try hitting up your destination during the off-season or shoulder season. You'll probably get better prices on flights, and as a bonus, fewer tourists and sweet deals on rooms and things to do.

Don't write off those budget airlines or no-frills tickets if you're trying to save some money. You might have to give up some extras, but if you're cool with roughing it, the savings could be worth it.

Oh, and look into those airline miles programs and travel credit cards. They might not tie directly to specific dates, but those points and miles can add up to free flights over time.

Combine these date hacks with other money-saving tricks, and you could seriously cut your travel costs. This means more trips or extra cash for fancy hotels and cool experiences at your destination.

Bottom line: there's no magic formula for the cheapest flights, but knowing these key dates and being smart about booking can boost your chances of scoring deals. Stay in the know, be ready to switch things up, and plan ahead - you'll stretch your travel budget and maybe even upgrade your trips.

The secret sauce for budget-friendly travel? Knowledge, planning, and rolling with the punches. Keep an eye on these crucial dates and listen to the travel pros - you'll be living your travel dreams without breaking the bank in no time.