If you're looking to get great deals on products, reduce your stress during travel or even get a raise, author Mark Di Vincenzo can tell you the critical times to make it all happen! After spending more than a year consulting experts and doing research on countless topics, Mark has compiled his findings in his book, Buy Ketchup in May and Fly at Noon: A Guide to the Best Time to Buy This, Do That and Go There. Here are a few of his tips:

The best time to ...

• Fly. "Airport rush hour mimics highway rush hour; less traffic on the roads around noon, less traffic in the airport around noon. The best day to fly is Saturday - there are fewer flights, which means there are fewer delays and shorter lines, and that equals less stress and less aggravation for you."

• Go running. "Between six in the evening and eight in the evening. Your muscles are at their peak, your flexibility is at its peak and your blood temperature is high so you have a lot of energy then."

• Ask for a raise. "The best day of the week is Thursday or Friday. Researchers say we don't want conflict late in the week, and that applies to your boss as well as to you. So if you ask later in the week, you're more likely to get a yes."

• Make love. "10 p.m. to 1 a.m. Skin sensitivity and our sense of touch is at its highest levels at those hours. And if you have kids, your downtime without kids is going to be after ten o'clock usually."

• Get a flu shot. "October - it takes about two weeks for the vaccine to kick in and start protecting you. Flu season starts around Halloween and lasts until March or April. The vaccine is going to help you for six months, so if you get your flu shot in October it's going to last you through flu season."

• Apply sunscreen. "Fifteen to 30 minutes before you go outside. It takes about that long for the sunscreen to absorb into your skin and protect it."

• Go to Disney World. "November. It's cooler, and you can get better deals on hotel and airfare."

The best time to buy ...

• Champagne. "December. The demand is high so you would think that the prices would go up, but the competition is so fierce that the champagne makers lower the prices, and so do the stores to get you in there and to buy other items."

• Shoes. "Late afternoon and early evening. That's when your feet are swollen and they are at their largest. If you buy shoes then, you'll know they'll fit you in the early morning when you wake up, but more importantly they're going to fit you in the late afternoon when you need your feet to be the most comfortable."

• Eggs. "Stores often put food on sale as the expiration date approaches and some people are very concerned about buying that food, but when it comes to eggs don’t worry; eggs can last 3 to 5 weeks after the expiration date so if you see a sale on eggs, grab it."

• Furniture. "January and July. That’s because the newer models come out in February and August and stores need to get rid of the old to make room for the new."

• Cameras. "President's week. Newer models are out and the older ones are discounted - it's a win-win."

• Tools. "Tools almost never go on sale, but you'll see good prices in June, particularly the week before Father's Day as stores lower prices to lure shoppers."

• Computers. "Hit the back-to-school sales in August and expect $50 or more off and maybe some freebies like printers or extended warranties."

• Ketchup. "May - it's the start of the picnic season. Ketchup, mustard, relish - all that stuff is on sale at the stores because they want to get you in there to buy."

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