Many people don’t keep close track of where their money goes. When income is covering expenses without a lot of effort, it’s tempting to avoid the hassle of checking on what those expenses actually are. But in an economic downturn, building cash is easier if you know what you’re spending on. People are often surprised by how much they spend on things they don’t really value. Setting up a simple tracking system using an online account aggregator like Mint.com or Yodlee.com will quickly and easily show you how your money gets spent. Then armed with that information, you can make decisions about what to buy and when to save.