This document summarizes the book "College Without Ramen Noodles" by Floyd Saunders, which provides dozens of ways for students and parents to afford college. The book details options for reducing costs such as attending community college, taking AP courses, completing the degree in three years, and living at home. It also discusses alternatives to traditional college like trade schools, certifications, volunteering, or starting a business. The author Floyd Saunders has helped his five children obtain post-secondary education using many of the affordable options in the book.

1. Affording College Now
Module Five: Make College Affordable
From the Author of
“College Without Ramen Noodles”
Saunders Learning Group, Newton, KS

2. 1. Why College
2. Cost of College
3. Saving and Investing for college
4. Financial Aid
5. MAKING COLLEGE
AFFORDABLE
Saunders Learning Group, Newton, KS

3. 10 Ways to Make College Affordable
1. Consider Starting at a Community or Junior College
2. Take Advanced Placement Courses
3. Take College Courses While Still in High School
4. Take Exams for College Credit.
5. Take College Courses Online
6. Finish Degree in three years
7. Qualify for an Honors Programs
8. Live at Home
9. Get Relatives To Help
10. Attend a Free College . . . Plus # 11 The G.I. Bill
Saunders Learning Group, Newton, KS
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4. Even More Ways to Afford College
• Parents’ Savings From Current Expenses
• Tuition Installment Payments
• Bigger and Better Tax Breaks
• Attend a More Prestigious University
• Take More Credits Per Term
• Attend Both Summer and Winter Terms
• Find an Employer to Subsidize Your Education
• Working and Attending College
• Go for Paid Internships
• Six Reasons to Work Your Way Through College
• Get Your College to Pay for Your Education
Saunders Learning Group, Newton, KS
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5. Stretching Your Dollars in College
• 10 Tips for Managing the Money You Have
• Six Ways to Save Money on Books
• 10 Ways to Save on Food
• Nine Ways to Save on Computer Hardware and Software
• Seven Ways to Save on Off-Campus Apartment Living
• 12 Ways to Save on College Shopping Trips
• Three Ways to Save on Transportation
• Six Ways to Save on Travel
• Seven Ways to Reduce the Cost of Keeping in
Touch
• Eight Ways to Make a Few Bucks
Saunders Learning Group, Newton, KS
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Topics in the book: “College Without Ramen Noodles”.

6. Cutting Expenses
• Changes that WON’T
cramp your lifestyle:
– Use a grocery list
– Don’t shop when hungry
– Clip coupons and buy bulk foods
– Combine errands
– Bring lunch to work/school a few times a
week
– Leave credit cards at home
Estimated monthly savings: $75.00
Saunders Learning Group, Newton, KS

7. Cutting Expenses
• Changes that might
cramp your lifestyle:
– Shop at thrift stores
– Use public transportation
– Eat out once a week
– Cancel cable/cell service
– Rent videos vs. going to the movies
Estimated monthly savings: $250.00
Saunders Learning Group, Newton, KS

8. Cutting Expenses
• Changes that will cramp
your lifestyle:
– Eat out once per month
– Use public transportation often
– Cancel cable TV, cell, Internet
– Visit the library vs. bookstore
– Share living costs with roommate or two
– Read books on ways to be thrifty
Estimated monthly savings: $500.00
Saunders Learning Group, Newton, KS

9. Non-Traditional Ways to Earn a
Degree
• Full-time Work and Accelerated Degree Programs
• Returning Degree Programs and Life Experience Credits
• Single Parents and College
• No parents to Help? College Is Still a Possibility
• Attend Online Classes
• Work in Public Service
Saunders Learning Group, Newton, KS
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Topics in the book: “College Without Ramen Noodles”.

10. Alternatives to College
• Go to Trade School
• Avoid Commercial Trade School
• Earn Certifications
• Get Experience as a Volunteer
• Military Service
• Start a Business
Saunders Learning Group, Newton, KS
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11. Things to think about…
• Education costs time and money
• The cost of education is increasing
over time
• Consider your spending habits
• Different methods of financing your
education have different total costs
Saunders Learning Group, Newton, KS

12. Less time, less money
Ask yourself…How long will it take to complete my degree?
Four (4) Year Plan
120 Units to obtain a degree
120 ÷ 4 yrs = 30 units/yr.
30 units ÷ 2 terms = 15 units/term
Semester Plan, 12 Units
Based on 2 semesters per academic year
120 ÷ 12 units = 10 terms or 5 yrs.
Saunders Learning Group, Newton, KS
$1531
X 8
$12,248
$1531
X 10
$15,310

13. Why not credit cards?
• High interest rates
• Annual fees
• Late fees
• Over-credit limit fees
• Penalty rates
• Lost card replacement fees
• Currency conversion fees
• Low credit scores
Saunders Learning Group, Newton, KS

14. GAO Report to Congress
Table 1: Minimum Repayment Schedule on a $2,000
Credit Card Loan at 19 Percent
Monthly minimum
payment amount
Saunders Learning Group, Newton, KS
Number of months
to repay
Total interest
payment
$40 100 $1,994
$50 64 $1,193
$75 35 $619
$100 25 $424
Source: Credit Card Minimum Payment Interest Calculator, Daniel C. Peterson,
www.webwinder.com
Interest savings between lowest/highest payment =
$1,570; time saved = 75 months or 6.25 years!

15. Resources
• Financial Planning
– www.edwise.org
– www.studentdebthelp.org
• Credit Report Agencies
– Equifax (800) 685-1111
– Experian (888) 397-3742
– Trans Union (800) 888-4213
Saunders Learning Group, Newton, KS

16. QUESTIONS?
Saunders Learning Group, Newton, KS

17. Summary of Book
Saunders Learning Group, Newton, KS
College Without Ramen Noodles
A simple plan to Affording College
By Floyd Saunders
Available for all eBook readers
ISBN: 13: 978-0-9824019-2-7
Book summary: College Without Ramen
Noodles; A Guide to Affording College. This highly
readable guide provides college students and their
parents with dozens of ways to make college a
reality. In fact, use enough of these tips, and you
may keep college debt at zero.
Author Floyd Saunders has spent the last 20 years
helping his five kids get post-secondary education
using many of the options highlighted in this book.
Mr. Saunders even tells you some good reasons why
you might be better off with an alternative to a
college degree. Regardless of your circumstances,
this book offers valuable information as you
consider going to college

18. About the Author
Saunders Learning Group, Newton, KS
• Floyd Saunders is a writer with an extensive
background in the financial services industry,
having worked across the industry in retail,
commercial, investment banking, insurance, tax
preparation and financial planning.
• He has taught personal financial courses for
Baker University and has taught extensively for
the American Institute of Banking. He has also
taught at St. Mary’s College, Lake Tahoe
Community College and Mt. Diablo College.
• He is the author of: Figuring Out Wall Street,
College Without Ramen Noodles, Banking on
Mutual Funds and Annuities, Introduction to
Securities Markets, Investing in Securities and
Family Financial Freedom.
Author Contact
email: floyd.saunders@yahoo.com
Blog: www/floydsaunders.com
Twitter @floydsaunders
Sideshare: http://www.slideshare.net/FloydSaunders
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