<<I discharge my batteries once a month if I haven't been flying. >>

Emphasis on the "if I haven't been flying"

March, April, November and December: two slow times a year. If there's enough snow for skis or the field's dry enough, I'm flying regularly. I much prefer to discharge them through use.

I use an Accu-Cycle to cycle them three in a row, and if they are below 80% capacity at that point they're gone. Usually three years life, some more, some less. Not worth risking a plane for a $16 battery pack every three years.