Suggestions please about turntable belt

I have a Music Hall 7 turntable and I have gone thru several belts in a years time. I live in a very dry area of the country. They crack and break within 6 months or so and paying 25 or 30 dollars for each belt is getting annoying. Are there cheaper alternates or materials for belts? Is there a treatment that will prolong the life of the belt and not cause it to slip on the motor or the platter? Or, is this just how it goes in this expensive hobby? Thanks in advance.