Chanhassen resident Lori Blatzheim has always been thrifty and thinks the oft-misunderstood virtue could help a great many people in this economically challenging time.

So Blatzheim started a "Thrift Club" last fall to act as a gathering point for others interested in being more resourceful and saving money. Blatzheim says her thrift club is the only one in the country, although other people joining to save money and share tips are surely meeting under other names.

Earlier this week, Blatzheim sent me an essay she wrote about being thrifty, a quality which has been passed through her family since her grandfather Thor followed the Norwegian nurse he loved to America, where they raised nine children.

Blatzheim wrote it in honor of National Thrift Week, a celebration designed to educate the public about the value of being thrifty. America celebrated National Thrift Week from 1917 to 1966. This year, the city of Philadelphia brought it back, with events - mostly panels discussing thrift in schools and throughout the community - being held through Sunday.

Here is an excerpt from her essay:

Blatzheim had hoped for a big turnout to her Thrift Club. The biggest meeting so far had 13 attendees. But she's not ready to give up on thrift. The next meeting is at the Chanhassen Library on February 12 at 10:30 a.m. Spendthrifts and thrifties are both invited to the free gathering.