I get what you're saying. So let me add context... At the time I was making around 200k consulting and those were 40hr weeks. To take a job at a "startup" tha

I get what you're saying. So let me add context... At the time I was making around 200k consulting and those were 40hr weeks. To take a job at a "startup" that was mature enough to pay me 120k salary but too mature to give me significant equity meant that if all went to plan I would get 120+120+40=280. On top of that I'd be working grueling startup hours. Vs. 200+200=400 and taking it easy. The appeal was that the job was in a coastal town where I wanted to live. There are very few IT jobs in that area. Fast forward 8 years later. I live in the area I wanted, but I had to bank consulting money and gain experience to get to where I can work remotely and still demand a good rate.