Ask startup A for a $10k signing bonus to match startup B. Free lunch vs lower health insurance looks like a wash. $20k more base is probably worth more than $2

Ask startup A for a $10k signing bonus to match startup B. Free lunch vs lower health insurance looks like a wash. $20k more base is probably worth more than $20k more in options. Aside, what does "$20k more stock options" mean? $20k more in strike? The strike value is how much the stock has to be worth before the options are worth anything. And if they're issuing you in the money (i.e. Series B strike price) options, then you're going to have a nasty tax bill.