This might not belong on this forum. Moderators, please accept my apologies and feel free to move it to the relevant forum.

My question is: a lot of startups aren't able to pay cash but pay in stock options at the end of the year. What do you put down in the "Annual income" field on credit card apps? Can stock options be considered income? This is my first job straight out of graduate school so no income in the previous 2 years. Any thoughts?

Also, what about targeted offers received in the mail? Can I apply for those since, presumably, my creditworthiness has been vetted?