For instance, bfads.net has revealed Dell online is cutting the price of the Nintendo Wii gaming console by $20 to $180 with free shipping thrown in for Black Friday.

Like most products, retailers are not allowed to advertise any deals below the suggested MSRP price, but you can see (and get) that price by adding the Wii to your cart. Then you will see the bargain price.

Sears will offer the Wii console for $200 but are tossing in a free $10 Nerf racing wheel.

Now you may not brave the early-morning rush hours (starting at midnight for some stores) at malls and stores on Black Friday for these particular deals, but keep in mind, as we get closer to the Black Friday deadline, better offers will appear.

Stores need to get rid of inventory -- badly. So they'll deal -- they'll just do a better job of it later.

Get 50 free personalized Christmas cards

This year, blogger freebies4mom.com is disseminating a great Internet code for 50 free personalized photo cards through the Web site SeeHere.com. You can choose a 4x8 or 5x7 photo card, making the value of this offer close to $40. Shipping is free and you are not required to input a credit card number. To get the free cards, use the code freebies4mom-1109. The code expires Nov. 30.

Be warned though: The program to design your card is difficult to muddle through, so sit down at the computer knowing you're going to need some patience.

How to create a Christmas gift budget

Creating a budget for your Christmas gift shopping isn't as difficult as it sounds. The hard part is actually sitting down and doing the work.

First, don't be afraid to make changes to the budget as you go: Just avoid making changes at the store because you can't resist that perfect and expensive gift. Second, hang on to a copy of your budget for next year.

Use a spreadsheet -- If you don't have a spreadsheet program, create your own form.

List the people for whom you need to shop -- List everyone, including friends, family, teachers, pets and the postman. List the "must buy" and most important gifts first. Include hostess gifts and two inexpensive "emergency" gifts.

Decide how much you can spend -- Review how much you spent last year. Look over your finances and decide exactly how much you can afford to spend on gifts. Cut it by 10 percent for unexpected expenses. This is your targeted total gift budget.

Assign an amount to each person -- Total up this figure and make adjustments to reach your targeted figure.