Y'know... a new set of strings is a wonderful thing. I'm always surprised to hear how some people go months on the same strings. That's like going months in the same underwear. The things get disgusting after a while even if they don't look it, and their sonic character changes fairly fast. I don't play enough to justify it these days, but at one time if I went more than a week on a set of strings it was because I was seriously sick. New strings are bright, articulate and lively. They sound great. Old strings sound lifeless, even if you don't mind the grungy biohazard.
Buy strings in bulk. It makes 'em cheap enough that you don't mind cutting off a set for the slightest reason. It also means you're much less likely to break one due to it's being work-hardened or rotted like an old tooth.
