Feeling poor because of recession? Feeling guilty because of global warming? Feeling like you’d quite like to tighten your belt, but aren’t quite ready to embrace DIY macramé handbags? No need to panic. Put down the economy mince and read The Thrift Book by India Knight instead – it’s a blueprint for living beautifully while saving money and easing your conscience.

India Knight (no slouch when it comes to extravagance) shows you how even a dedicated consumer and child of the more-is-more 1980s can mend her ways, embrace the New Thrift, and find her life – and bank balance - dramatically improved in the process.

• How to grow things
• How to make jellies, chutneys and pickles
  
• How to dress on a budget and still look fabulous – and what to do with your mum’s old sewing machine
• How to make the most of living in a community, from borrowing preserving pans (that’s right, we’re making jam) to starting a toy-swapping group
• How to holiday in new and imaginative ways - with only the merest whisper of a carbon footprint
• How to make your own fun, from crafts to making presents, from parties to affordable pampering
• And finally....how to manage your money – because, 'frankly, it's about time we all got a grip!'

Above all, India Knight will show you that saving money and tightening your belt doesn’t have to feel like a penance – it can be both fun and glamorous (and a great deal more satisfying than buying the latest It-bag). Try it – you have nothing to lose but your overdraft.

We've teamed up with India Knight and Penguin Books and have 18 FREE copies of The Thrift Book to give away. All you need to do is to post your own top 3 money saving tips in the comments box below. Your thrifty tips don't just have to be about makeup - we'd love to hear about great ways to save money on any topic you like! Our 18 favourite posts below will each win a paperback copy of The Thrift Book worth £7.99.