Many students enter college thinking that higher education will help make their futures financially secure.

But since high schools and colleges don’t require students to take basic life-skills courses that teach them how to save and budget their money, landing a high-paying job is no guarantee they’ll stay out of debt. Fortunately, Unigo can help.

Created by 26-year-old Jordan Goldman, Unigo is a revamped, online version of a college guidebook.

Using text, audio and video, the content is completely student-generated, offering a more authentic look at campus life.

In addition, the site allows students to share advice on important topics, such as how to manage their finances. The Daily spoke to Goldman about how to stay afloat financially as a student.

Q: What are some common financial mistakes that students make?

A: Buying textbooks from the campus bookstore is often incredibly expensive, when they can get their textbooks online for a lot cheaper.

And when you’re done with the course, rather than leaving a textbook sitting in your room, there are all sorts of sites that allow you to sell those so that you can get the money back.

There are a lot of online options that allow you to get the same thing you’re used to spending money on, but you can just get it for free or for much cheaper if you look around.

[T]here are deals that are associated with your student IDs. Sometimes you can get a free meal, or free transportation, or discounts at local restaurants.

And that’s something that you have in your pocket all the time, but people don’t realize that just by whipping it out at the right location you can save money.

Q: Do you have any financial tips that may be time consuming, but worth the extra effort?

A: ... Make a budget, looking over the course of a month. First off, writing out what you think you spend money on ... and then outlining for yourself in advance, ‘This is exactly how much I’m willing to spend in each of these different categories, and any money that I have beyond that I’m just going to put in the bank, and I’m going to just keep [the money] there.’ ... It’s worth it.

See how much you save at the end of the month by creating that budget in advance and sticking to it. And you also feel really good about it at the end, because you feel like you were that much more in control of your own spending habits, and just of your own life.

Q: Our nation’s currently in a recession, and that’s bad news for students who’ll be graduating soon. What advice do you have for students that want to boost their chances of finding a job right out of college?

A: Use your alumni network. The people who went to your school have an amazing amount of experience and advice, and they’re more willing to give you that advice if you are proactive and ask for it.

[Do] not [be] afraid to ask for help. If you are willing to figure out where you want to [go] and figure out who in that area might be able to help you, figure out how to get to the next step; be it an alumni of your college, be it any respected person in the community, shoot them an e-mail or give them a call.

You’d be shocked at how many people say, ‘Sure, I’ll make time to meet up with you,’ and how quickly those conversations clarify your ideas, and put you in touch with more people ... and help you to succeed a lot faster than you would otherwise.

I know Career Center sounds kind of [like] something you have to do; [it doesn’t] sound that fun and exciting.

But the people who work there, their jobs are to network with these top employers all over the country, and they can tell you exactly what the job market is looking for right now, and who to approach and how to approach them. They can be an incredible help in getting your first job and getting a job that you’re really going to like.

Q: Where in the job market do you see more opportunities?

A: Every financial situation causes both downturns and upturns; there’s opportunity when traditional models are falling apart. ... Look at old media, and look at all the different shifts that have taken place, even in the past five years. ... There is a lot of opportunity there if you can just look at how things are changing, and look at how you would want them to be.

And if you realize, ‘Wow, this industry is falling apart and I see where it’s going, and no one’s done it yet,’ there is real opportunity.

Reach reporter Sue Yang at features@dailyuw.com.