Thanks all for your help. I ended up taking the highest salary that give a little equity. I ran my expenses and it gets tight, but I know if this stock takes

Thanks all for your help. I ended up taking the highest salary that give a little equity. I ran my expenses and it gets tight, but I know if this stock takes off, I'd kick myself if I didn't have at least a little something in it. I think of it as diversification. Then once I'm in the company, I can see how things go and I could invest more heavily with future raises, or pull back and take full amount in cash. The nice thing with the company is that they actually bring you back up salary-wise over 3 years. You still lose that money, but it's not as bad as without that provision. And thank you for pointing out my error with preferred vs common stock - I learned that now thanks to your feedback!