I’ve been in multiple different jobs over the years where part of my compensation was stock or stock options. Sometimes it can be some real money. At AOL in 19

I’ve been in multiple different jobs over the years where part of my compensation was stock or stock options. Sometimes it can be some real money. At AOL in 1996, I cleared more than $80k from stock options, which was more than my base salary for the year. But I ended up walking away from stock options at AOL that would have been as much as $16m, if I had managed to find a way to stay there. But the place has just become too toxic. I’ve also been at places where I theoretically had stock or stock options, and they wound up being literally worthless. Stock and stock options for employees are meant to be a form of golden handcuffs. That’s why I don’t include them in my consideration of what I would be compensated for at a job. If I get some extra money that year, great! If not, then I’m not too dejected.