You may not be able to buy love, but getting married can be one of life’s major expenses. Although the economic downturn has caused many couples to decrease their budgets, the average wedding still costs between $21,000 and $24,000, according to the Association for Wedding Professionals International. Fortunately, there are strategies that can help you cut costs. “There are ways you can save, while still getting the wedding you want,” says Kelly Williams, Financial Center Manager with Fifth Third Bank.

 By now, almost everyone understands the importance of building their savings. But how can you begin if you are already living paycheck to paycheck? “Take a look at how you are spending your money – there are ways you can cut back to find additional dollars that can be saved,” says Nick Goetz, Financial Center Manager with Fifth Third Bank.

Even in a good economy, many parents feel overwhelmed by the thought of saving for their child’s college education.

 “Saving for college doesn’t have to be complicated,” says Nicole Lowe, a financial center manager at Fifth Third Bank. “The key is to simplify this task so parents can tackle it confidently, beginning when their children are very young.”

Many couples start planning their wedding a year in advance - finding the hall, selecting the menu, ordering dresses, invitations, flowers and so on. But one of the most important things they can do early on is develop a plan to pay for it all.

Learning how to manage money is one of many new skills students learn when they leave home for college. "The more parents are involved in educating their children about personal finances during high school, the easier it will be when they're on their own," says a vice president with Fifth Third Bank.

Today, no one is immune from losing a job. It's occurring at every level, including employees who have been working for the same company for decades. To help prepare for a potential job loss, Neal Brown, a financial center manager at Fifth Third Bank, offers the following tips:

Leaving a job and starting another can be a stressful experience. But when people are forced to leave a job without having another lined up, the stresses seem to multiply - affecting relationships, moods and even decisions.

"Today, we see many people who lose their jobs and then impulsively cash out their 401(k)," says Tommy Grace, a financial center manager at Fifth Third Bank. "Unfortunately, they often do this without considering the financial ramifications or seeking advice on other options."

For most people, planning a vacation is part of the fun. For weeks or months before you leave, you envision sea breezes, exotic foods or whatever delights your destination may offer.

But, before you book any flights or hotels, it is important to establish a budget. "I tell my customers the first step in planning a vacation is to determine how much you can comfortably spend," says Rob Baluchi, a financial center manager at Fifth Third Bank. "Once you have that end point in mind, you can make plans accordingly."