Dell Business has the Dimension 2400 for only $299. Configure the "Amazing Savings" $299 Dimension 2400 and be sure to choose the free upgrade to 512MB of RAM. You get a Celeron 2.4GHz, 512MB DDR, 40GB Drive, Dell Keyboard/Mouse, 48x CDROM, XP Home, and a 90-day warranty. This is a fine system for basic computing. They don't get much cheaper than this.

You may also be interested in the "Outrageous Deal" on the same page. Dimension 3000 with 17" monitor for $399.

Ofoto.com has some great coupons that make their prices competitive with the lower-priced developers. Plus you get 10 free prints just for signing up!

• 40% off $10 purchases code FALL40 (exp. 11/20)
  
• 25% off $25 purchase code FALL25 (exp. 11/10)
  
• 15% off Photo Books code PHOTOBOOK151 (exp. 10/15)
  
• 30% off Calendars code CALENDAR30 (exp. 10/31)

Dell Desktop Specials.  Limited Time Offer!. Dell has some incredible very limited-time coupons. The percent off applies to any upgrades you make to the original configuration. So the 30 and 40% will even apply to LCD monitors!

• 30% off $999 on select Dimension Desktops code RVJ4709SL0STB4
• 40% off $2499 on select Dimension Desktops code 51S7S776G77Q3H.

Both of these coupons expire at 8pm CT today, 10/14!

• $200 off $999 Inspiron Notebooks code D?2V9PV$B90Q42 (exp. 10/15)
  
• $350 off $1499 Inspiron Notebooks code TGT116GRC29MLC (exp. 10/15)
  
• $30 off $800 systems code 80B91E57767B (exp. 10/31)

Newegg.com offers the Iomega 80GB USB 2.0 External Hard Drive for $112.50 - $20 rebate + $4 shipping = $96.50. It also comes with Norton Ghost 2003 drive imaging software. This would be a great way to back up the files on your computer in case of a hard drive failure. You may want to read my article that discusses this.

Buy.com carries the Acer AL1912B 19" LCD Monitor for $410 with free shipping no rebates. Features a native resolution of 1280x1024, a respectable response time of 16ms, and a 3 yr. warranty. A great no-rebate price for quality monitor.

Amazon.com carries the Panasonic SC-HT05 Home Theater System for only $225 with free shipping (shipping may only be free on 10/12). CNET.com says, "This is, hands down, the best cheap 'n' easy HTIB you can buy." Also gets very good Amazon user reviews. Includes receiver, 5 satellite speakers with 30 watts per channel, and 110-watt subwoofer, Dolby Digital, Dolby ProLogic II, and DTS surround-sound modes, Sophisticated receiver with AM/FM tuner, customizable sound field controls, Composite video and digital audio inputs. All you have to do is add a DVD player.

The Chase PerfectCard gives you 6% cash back on gas purchases for the first 90 days and 3% cash back after that. All other purchases earn you a straight 1% cash back. All the rebates you earn are automatically credited to your account. There's no annual fee for the first year, but there is a $19 fee after that if you don't use your card at least 9 times. The flat cash back percentages (no tiered structure) as well as the 6% cash back on gas for the first 90 days make this a card that could save you a lot of money.


Citi Dividend Platinum Select Card is one of the best cash back cards out there. With no annual fee, you get 5% back on purchases at supermarkets, drugstores, and gas stations and 1% back on all other purchases. The only caveats: you can only "earn" $300 per year and you have to call and ask them to send you a check when you reach at least $50.


The Discover Platinum Gas Card is a great way to save on gas. Here's the deal with this card:

• No Annual Fee
• Earn up to 10% Cashback Bonus® award* on Gas Purchases
• Earn up to 2% Cashback Bonus® award* on your Other Purchases
• Earn up to 10% Cashback Bonus® award* on restaurant purchases 9/1-10/31!

You actually get 5% cash back on gas purchases and 1% on everything else. The 10% and 2% mentioned above refer to the fact that you can redeem your cash back for gift certificates that are worth twice as much as the amount you redeem them for. Or, if you prefer, they will send you a check or simply credit your account. Discover cashback bonus works on a tiered scale - the more you spend the higher you get back. You have to spend at least $3,000 in a year to get the full 1% cash back.

Learn more about credit card deals with cash back

Amazon.com carries the Rio Carbon 5GB MP3 player for $215 shipped. This player will hold 2500 songs, has 20-hour battery life, USB 2.0 transfer, and microphone for voice recording. A great alternative to the iPod mini.

eCost.com carries the Onkyo HTS770S 6.1 channel home theater system that includes 7 speakers and a 100 watt x 6 receiver for $473 + $7 handling with free shipping = $480. Supports Dolby Digital EX, DTS, ProLogic II. This is a high-end system for a low-end price. Search for HTS770S. Save yourself the time and money by buying a quality speaker/receiver system that is made to work together rather than buy everything separately. A system like this will really make your DVDs come alive. Onkyo is known for great-sounding systems at reasonable prices.

Looking for a great basic laptop on the cheap? Dell Business has the Inspiron 1150 notebook for $629 with free shipping after $120 Instant Discount and $100 mail-in rebate. Use the link above and click on Outrageous Deals > Notebooks. Here are the specs:

• 2.4GHz Celeron
  
• 256MB Memory
  
• 30GB HD
  
• DVD/CDRW Combo Drive
  
• Dell 1350 802.11b/g wireless card
  
• XP Home
  
• Productivity Pack
  
• 90-Day Mail-in Service

This deal is only good until 10/13 at 11pm CT.