When there's no cash flowing, I think a grunt fund is nice (http://www.slicingpie.com/the-grunt-fund-calculator/). The problem is often keeping track of work and effort done by everyone. Without knowing that, it's hard to determine value sometimes.

Aside from that, a grunt fund should also answer your questions about equity. Provided the other people in the startup are on board with this philosophy of course. Either way, it's a good guideline and a good way of thinking about things.