WIFE.org in 25th Year of Helping Women Navigate Finances and Divorce, From the Heart

July 17, 2012 - PRLog -- San Diego, CA – How many non-profits have founders who have devoted almost 25 years to helping others, without ever taking any compensation?

The majority of non-profits do compensate founders – in fact, in 2009, according to CNN.com, "two-thirds of not for profits maintained or increased compensations" for founders and top executives. Not so for the two co-founders at WIFE.org; their compensation is the knowledge that they have made a huge difference in the lives of countless thousands of women.

It is currently estimated that at least 90% of women will end up alone because of divorce or widowhood and be left to fend for themselves financially, with no clue how to begin taking care of their lives and families. And, according to a recent study compiled by ING, nearly ¾ of women have no formal financial plan in place for retirement – a scary prospect in this economy.

Candace Bahr and Ginita Wall were way ahead of current research - it was back in March of 1988 when they realized that there were a staggering number of women in desperate need of a place to go for financial education. With a career spanning over three decades, Bahr is known nationally as an advocate for women’s financial independence.  She is co-founder of Bahr Investment Group and a CEA (Certified Estate Adviser), as well as a CDFA (Certified Divorce Financial Analyst). Wall is a nationally recognized expert and columnist on the subject of women and money.  As a forensic accountant, her credentials include CPA, CFP®, and CDFA. She has authored eight books on personal finance and was named one of the 250 top financial advisors in the country by Worth Magazine eight years in a row.

The pair’s passion to help others inspired them to found WIFE.org, a national non-profit offering free financial advice, information and workshops to the women seeking empowerment when it comes to finances.  Speaking honorariums Bahr and Wall receive fund free programs offered by WIFE.

The women’s devotion to helping is also clearly illustrated by their acclaimed workshops, “Second Saturday: What Women Need to Know about Divorce,” which have been held at the San Elijo campus of MiraCosta College for the past twenty-four years. These workshops have helped over 8,000 women, raising over $200,000 that has gone back into the community in the form of scholarships for women, support for the college’s community service programs and into outreach programs offered by WIFE.org. They have also spawned a men’s Second Saturday workshop.

The next women’s workshop will take place on August 11th 2012, with registration beginning at 8 a.m.  For a fee of just $45, women will learn what they need to know about divorce, from legal and financial matters to social and emotional issues. According to Bahr, “In twenty-four years of Second Saturdays, I can count on one hand the number of dates that Ginita has missed – that is about 270 Saturdays she has given up to help others - that speaks to a true life’s calling!”

Wall says, “People don’t deal with money until some crisis like death or divorce hits them over the head. Divorce isn’t about manners – it’s about survival.  Second Saturday is a wonderful opportunity for women to acquire non-biased information that will help eliminate their fears, and enable them to take better care of their families across the board. It is so gratifying to know that this program has spawned similar programs across the country – people need this information so badly.”

Bahr and Wall have been speaking nationally on behalf of their non-profit since it was founded, offering workshops and making media appearances on shows like NBC Nightly News, MSNBC, CBS This Morning, CNNfn, PBS and National Public Radio. They also keynote women’s conferences sponsored by State Treasurers and Governors around the country, educating women about financial issues and spreading the word about the help their organization provides.

Candace Bahr and Ginita Wall have selflessly devoted years of their lives to helping others.  With the state of affairs in our world, it is both heartwarming and inspiring to know they are out there.

Second Saturday workshops are held on the San Elijo campus of MiraCosta College. For more information, visit http://www.wife.org/secondsaturday.htm.

                                                      
                                                              ABOUT WIFE.ORG

The Women’s Institute for Financial Education (WIFE.org) is the oldest non-profit organization dedicated to providing financial education to women in their quest for financial independence. It was founded by wealth management experts Candace Bahr and Ginita Wall, who have a lifelong mission of helping women connect with resources that help them prosper and grow financially.

Under the guidance of Candace and Ginita, WIFE.org has gained national prominence.  It was recently named one of the top 500 financial sites by “Online Investor,” capturing the interest of women and the press seeking financial advice and information for women. For more information, visit http://www.wife.org.