How often should i change strings?

I know this is a how long is a peace of string question but i would appreciate some advice, even if its just a ruff guide. I have a squire by fender guitar with D'Addario nickel wound super light gauge strings and average an hour a day practice (i am a beginner). I am having problems tuning the guitar or keeping in tune (going out of tune very quickly) after a week or so of replacing strings. I use a Seiko st737 guitar tuner but even as a novice i can hear when it starts going out of tune. Any advice on how to tell when string change is needed or what strings (brand, gauge) to use appreciated. :confused:

um depends. new strings sound more twangy for lack of a better word and feel nicwer to play. i change mine every few months although some peole change em less and some more. its up to u and what u can afford really .

I think every few months is the norm, i only change mine if one breaks and usually only the one that break if iv got one, if not swap the full set.
If you keep replacing the strings tha will be why it goes out of tune quickly, just try and be patient and keep tuning it up eventually it will all settle in n be alot more stable, most guitar strings stretch a little from new.
The other thing that could be effecting the tuning stability is the bridge, if its a tremelo then tightening up the springs in the back or adding more may help.

Are you stretching the strings properly when you first put them on?
Guitars will go out of tune slightly even after a couple of days because of temperature and humidity changes, but if it's drastically going outa tune, you might need to wind them better and fully stretch the strings.
As far as how often to change, it depends on the use.
Just for practice you could leave em on for months if you don't mind them getting a little dull. If you're recording or playing live though, you might wanna change them before each session.

I change mine around every 2 weeks. If I notice a change in sound or they just sound like crap I'll change em. Or if they're really cruddy.

I rarely ever change mine. They never break, and I'm way too lazy so usually its like a month at least. I recall one time when I changed em after about 3 months. The backsides of the strings were so black and rust colored it was disgusting, and there was a little tiny shiny spot every so often where the fret bar would have been. I do like the sound of new strings, but I play bluesy kind of stuff thats basically an overdriven sound anyways, so a little added crunch from nasty strings usually doesn't set off any CHANGE YOUR STRINGS alarm, so whatever.

I have always taken the new string once fed through the eyelet of the tuning machine and put a crease to the string tail using the backside of the eyelet. After that, I wrap the tail under the string at the front side of the eyelet and form another crease before winding the string around the peg. This locks the end of the string inside the winding and drastically decreases the chance of slippage. This method is common, but I've seen many that don't use it.
It really helps to keep me in tune.

Thanks for the advice but i have a couple more questions.
schmange asked if i stretched the stings, should i over stretch the strings the tune them in?
My other question is should i use a heavier gauge string, i am using a super light gauge as i am a beginner i thought they would be easier?
Thanks again.

I stretch the hell outa mine. After I first put em on, I tune up to standard tuning then grab each string individually over the bridge with my finger & thumb and move it up and down until it goes outa tune. Then I tune back up and repeat the process until it no longer goes outa tune.
Basically, stretch it as far as you can without breaking it.

I use custom lights (9,11,16,26,36,46) & never have any problem.
Like I said,you always have to do a slight tuneup just before playing because of temp and humidity changes. You might have to retune after playing awhile too because your hands warm up the guitar and strings. It should only go slightly out of tune tho.

I think I did a video tutorial awhile back covering restringing and stretching if you have full access here.