My bias is against buying this stock, but my husband thinks the company is great, and it's a hot industry. But this will definitely give him some good questions to ask. I find the plan documents very confusing, and I feel like I am a reasonably financially aware person--do my own taxes including schedule C and forms for backdoor Roth, set up a solo 401k, etc; but I really don't get all of this. It seems like there are a lot of potential down-sides.
But, my husband does like his job, and assuming he gets the raise that seems to be in the pipeline this year, he is overall okay with the compensation.
KingCoin, I hope I answered your questions--he does have to opt-in but doesn't have to pay any money right now. They are not giving him any shares, at least right now.
Cecil, I am not sure how to value the company. But my husband could probably ask someone about that. He's not one of the first employees. There are a few hundred now, I think.
iamlindoro, thanks for clarifying that we don't have to buy anything right now. It just seems like they want him to sign stuff and return it, but it seems to be more like, "I am aware that I have stock options," and not committing to anything.
Thanks for all the help!