Totally agree. I've even passed up on options in the past also when given the chance between them and alternative compensation. Whenever I hear about my friend

Totally agree. I've even passed up on options in the past also when given the chance between them and alternative compensation. Whenever I hear about my friends finally getting compensated, it is in the 2-3k range, except for the few that were at the top. But, even better than monetary compensation is working on a product or project or for a company that excites you.