Yes, it's real hard to connect 8 jumpers and load 2 libraries into a test program. It took literally minutes once I got the nerve to try.
The modules I got have a regulator, 4 resistors (maybe 5) and 2 caps. But if you work with 3.3V you don't need any of that except maybe the caps for high speed?
I've seen instructions to turn a micro-SD adapter into the holder for micro-SD cards, don't miss the link about level-shifting. BTW, Frank does some amazing projects:
http://www.frank-zhao.com/cache/fat_sd.php