Closing the financial literacy gap, one seminar at a time!
I'm Ford Ross, a senior at Episcopal High School in Alexandria, Virginia. This summer, while studying for and passing the SIE exam, I found a passion for finance and for teaching the ins and outs of the market. I would love to share this passion with other young people who may be heading into adulthood afraid of the financial responsibilities that life brings. That's why I teach middle and high school students the basics of investing and everyday finances in plain, simple language.
Who it's for
Middle school students
Start building smart money habits early. Everything is explained from the ground up!
High school students
Get ahead of what most people only learn after their first paycheck. No finance class required!
Parents and guardians
Come with your teen, or come on your own and learn the same basics side by side.
How I explain every topic
Each idea is taught the same way, so it sticks whether you're a middle schooler, a high schooler or a parent.
Plain definition
One or two sentences with no confusing financial language. If a technical term is needed, I explain what it means first.
Real-life example
Something familiar, like a first job, a phone plan, or saving for a car, that shows the idea in action.
Apply it yourself!
A quick question to make sure it clicked before moving on to the next idea.
Here's what that looks like: call options
- Plain definition
- A call option is a contract that gives you the right, but not the obligation, to buy something at a set price (the strike price) before a set date (the expiration). You pay a small fee for that right, called the premium.
- Real-life example
- A classmate in your dorm at Episcopal has an extra ticket to a concert in D.C. that's worth $50 right now. You pay him $5 for the right to buy it for $50 any time before Friday. On Wednesday, a surprise guest is announced and the ticket is suddenly worth $80. You use your right, buy it for $50, and you're holding an $80 ticket. After the $5 you paid, you're up $25. If the ticket's value had dropped instead, you'd just let your right expire and lose only the $5. The $5 is the premium, $50 is the strike price, and Friday is the expiration.
- Apply it yourself!
- How much does the ticket need to be worth for you to break even? ($55. You need to make back the $50 strike price plus the $5 premium. On the SIE, the breakeven for buying a call is the strike price plus the premium.)
My seminars
Two beginner-friendly seminars: one on investing and one on everyday finances.
- InvestingLearn about stocks, bonds, funds, and how the market as a whole works
- Everyday financesUnderstand credit scores, credit card rates, and how to budget your first paycheck
All content is for education only and is not investment, tax or legal advice.
About me
I'm Ford Ross. I offer small, educational seminars that help my peers and my generation learn the benefits of investing. Although most of my students are fellow high schoolers, my seminars are open to everyone.
As for my background, I am a senior at Episcopal High School in Alexandria, Virginia. I have taken and passed FINRA's SIE exam, a test required to work for a broker-dealer on Wall Street. I also took an online investing course with GOA, and now that I'm 18, I have my own brokerage account!
I started doing seminars because I saw how powerful financial literacy can be, especially for young people. I want to share this amazing knowledge with everyone, including those who may not have the resources to learn the ins and outs. My hope is that this is just the first step in my journey to increase financial literacy in society!
What I stand for
- Real-life examplesEvery concept connects to something real: a first job, a phone bill, or saving for a car.
- My missionTo help my peers and my generation feel confident about money and understand the benefits of investing.
- Start earlyThe earlier you learn this, the more time your money has to work for you!
- Introductory teachingNo experience needed. Every seminar starts from the basics and explains things in plain, everyday language.
Sign up for a seminar
Choose from two beginner-level seminars. No experience needed, and everyone is welcome!
- InvestingLearn about stocks, bonds, funds, and how the market as a whole works
- Everyday financesUnderstand credit scores, credit card rates, and how to budget your first paycheck
Contact me
Questions about a seminar? Send a note and I'll get back to you!
Email: fordross2008@icloud.com
Location: Episcopal High School, Alexandria, VA