I'm in my 40s and have been working for and with startups since my early 20s.

I'd rather scrape by doing what I love than make bank and hating my life.

Of course, making bank and loving it would be the ideal. But its not like I think the odds are huge.

One thing I am doing is building up my side businesses. Get enough side income going to live on and you can work for a startup at low risk.

Not the case when you have a family, of course.