i-ninja. i-write. u-read.
I used those "freebie sites" that you see on the internet. Seriously. Worked like a charm both times. It was somewhat time consuming, but better than shelling out $500 bucks. The site requires you to do one offer (I suggest doing the Blockbuster Online Trial. If you cancel right after you recieve credit, you won't be charged.), and it will give you credit usually within a day. Then you need four people to sign up under you, so I just called three friends and my sister, and they need to do an offer. Then you request approval, and I had my Lite within a week. Then I did it again for the iPod. 
By the way, in case you are interested in trying it for your self, here are the sites I used:
Honestly, I would reccommend doing this. Even if you don't want a DS Lite or iPod, there is plenty of other stuff to choose from. The first site I gave you has Xbox 360s, PSPs, money, etc. However, I would suggest doing the DS Lite one first, as that only requires to get 4 friends, while the iPod one needs like 6.
Oh well. Don't know if you guys care or not, but I thought I'd just throw this out there.
