Candace Bahr: InvestmentNews “Women To Watch”

Second Saturday and WIFE.org co-founder honored by InvestmentNews

Candace Bahr, owner of Bahr Investment Group, an LPL Financial-affiliated firm in Carlsbad, Calif., has made a profound impact over her 35-year career not only on her clients, but also on thousands of women across the U.S.

About 26 years ago, some of her divorced and widowed clients approached her asking about a resource for financial education. Ms. Bahr, looking for a place that was non-commercial and safe, found none and, with co-founder and financial planner Ginita Wall, decided to create the Women’s Institute for Financial Education.

The all-volunteer institute is a 501(c)3 dedicated to women’s financial independence. Its services include a website; free monthly newsletters; occasional lectures and seminars; and nationwide money clubs, which follow a financial education curriculum and provide emotional support.

In addition, WIFE offers its flagship program, Second Saturday, geared toward women contemplating divorce or in the early stages of one. The program includes an attorney, a therapist and a financial adviser, all volunteers, who educate and answer questions.

There have been about 10,000 participants over the last 26 years.

Second Saturday now is being rolled out nationally. The program is currently in 110 territories across the U.S., each managed by a workshop leader, usually a financial adviser. The leader pays a fee to WIFE for ongoing support and resources, such as a comprehensive instruction guide that covers marketing, curriculum, volunteer recruitment and follow-up activities.

“I wanted to create a legacy,” Ms. Bahr said. “The institute has given me a sense of purpose and the drive to stay in this business. It’s a way to give back on a deep level.”

— Deborah Nason

This Article originally appeared in InvestmentNews