With falling home values, rising unemployment and a turbulent stock market, the 2008 economy may be remembered as one of the stormiest in decades. "To help people survive this economic downturn, it's important to remain well informed, have a long-term strategy and keep short-term fluctuations in perspective," says Ben Stacy, a wealth management advisor with Fifth Third Bank.

Today, millions of Americans are unable to manage their monthly mortgage payments, especially those who bought homes in the past few years and took advantage of low, adjustable-rate mortgages requiring little or no down payment. Since then, home values have decreased while adjustable interest rates have increased. Consequently, many are faced with escalating mortgage payments but are unable to sell or refinance their home because they owe more than it is worth.

There's a reason the teenage years have a reputation for being difficult. Teens typically face a more challenging school curriculum, ongoing pressure to fit in with peers and new challenges like deciding where to go to college. Factor in today's turbulent economy, and the pressures seem to mount.

"The best offense is a good defense" is not just a sports cliché, it's also good advice for managing everyday life. In today's turbulent economy, it's often necessary to have a few reliable strategies in place just to get by.

"To help my customers manage during these uncertain times, I encourage them to control what they can and protect themselves against what they cannot control," says Laura Tidd, a preferred banker at 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."

People can have all kinds of reasons for wanting to change jobs or careers. Today, however, the most common reason is financial necessity. Over the past 12 months, more than 5.3 million Americans have lost their jobs, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. About half of these losses occurred within the past few months.

An education is much like any other investment. It can provide a source of income, enhance your quality of life and be a cushion when the going gets rough.