i saved money before by making my own case
used fiberglass and some sanding work, also used back of old pc case to make things easier, maybe some plexi glass..things like that, its not hard really, more imagination than anything.
i made one that looked like a larger playstation 2 case, made one from a tv stand, used plexi glass for front-painted it black from inside to give it mirror finish, cut out hardrive slot and power button
made one from a nintendo before too, wanted to make one out of my segacd but dont think its possible