Continued...
Sub Farm #6 Hayward: Current household members are Curtis & Charlotte (Gen 2 - adults) and Victoria (Gen 3 - baby). Charlotte is pregnant with baby #2. This family is just starting out with a relatively new farm and very little money. Their first priority is getting enough cribs/beds for the children as they're born and their second priority is building up the farm so they can make a little money off it. Household bank balance is $1470 out of $50,000.
Sub Farm #7 Godwin: Current household members are Finn & Violet (Gen 2 - adults). Violet is pregnant with their first child. This was their first day played as a married couple. They got everything going (quit their jobs, planted crops, got pregnant), but they also got a surprise inheritance from Violet's parents which was nearly $3000. Since Sub Farmers only start with $2000, this is a major leg up for them. They were able to expand their garden plots, get a compost bin, and buy a crib and changing table in advance of their child's birth, with still plenty of money to spare. Household bank balance $4316 out of $50,000.
Trade #1 Hopkins: Current household members are Simon & Elsie (Gen 1 Founders - elders), Nathaniel & Johanna (Gen 2 Heir/Wife - adults), Bess (Gen 2 - teen), Leila (Gen 3 - child), and Eve (Gen 3 -toddler). Johanna is pregnant with baby #3. These are my first sims to level up to Trade. So exciting! They've moved into their new house and started a home business flower shop. The next step up will be either Professional or Gentleman Farmer. These social classes are equal so the player has free choice which to move into. I've decided that my former Poor will strive for Professional and former Sub Farmers will work towards Gentleman Farmer. It just makes sense that farmers will continue to want to be farmers. Since the Hopkins were formerly Poor, they will eventually become Professional. There are obviously some rule changes for Trade families. The most notable are: the family must make their money from the shop only with no adult holding down a job (younger teens may still work and extra money making options are still available), girls must now have dowries of $800, and too many Repo Man visits will result in a demotion back down to Poor. The rules don't say what to do about Business Perks so I've decided to leave those out. Money perks would make it much too easy to level up. Household bank balance is $891 out of $100,000.
Friday, November 23, 2018
Thursday, November 22, 2018
Victorian Population Challenge 11/22/18
Continued...
Sub Farm #4 Hayward: Current household members are Levi & Elizabeth (Gen 2 - adults), James (Gen 3 Heir - teen), John (Gen 3 - child), Anna (Gen 3 - child), and Moses (Gen 3 - toddler). Elizabeth is pregnant with baby #5. Money is still tight but the Fall harvest is just around the corner. Now that James is a teen he has his eye on Bess Hopkins, who is one of the youngest members of Gen 2. If he ends up pursuing her, that may mean one less female available to the Gen 2 guys. One of the things I love best about this family is the genetic diversity that's popping up. Levi has black hair, but his mother was blond. Elizabeth is also blond and her mother had red hair. John is the only child to have the dominant black hair of his father, while James and Anna are blond and Moses is a redhead. I believe all the kids have Elizabeth's blue eyes, except Moses who has his father's green eyes. Gotta love those TS2 genetics! It's one of my favorite things in the game. Anyway...household bank balance is $2286 out of $50,000.
Sub Farm #5 Godwin: Current household members are Emory & Caroline (Gen 2 - adults), Grace (Gen 3 - child), Louise (Gen 3 - toddler), Georgianna (Gen 3 - baby), and Hardy (Gen 3 Heir - baby). Caroline is pregnant with baby #5. While Emory seems to be doing a bit better with the farming, Caroline is still struggling with the household chores and the children. To make matters worse, her last pregnancy resulted in twins! Just what a broke family needs, lol. Grace is not doing well either. Being able to more or less care for herself means she gets little attention from her parents and on top of that she has a D in school. Luckily it's the weekend now and she can hopefully catch up on all that homework. Household bank balance is $1677 out of $50,000.
Sub Farm #4 Hayward: Current household members are Levi & Elizabeth (Gen 2 - adults), James (Gen 3 Heir - teen), John (Gen 3 - child), Anna (Gen 3 - child), and Moses (Gen 3 - toddler). Elizabeth is pregnant with baby #5. Money is still tight but the Fall harvest is just around the corner. Now that James is a teen he has his eye on Bess Hopkins, who is one of the youngest members of Gen 2. If he ends up pursuing her, that may mean one less female available to the Gen 2 guys. One of the things I love best about this family is the genetic diversity that's popping up. Levi has black hair, but his mother was blond. Elizabeth is also blond and her mother had red hair. John is the only child to have the dominant black hair of his father, while James and Anna are blond and Moses is a redhead. I believe all the kids have Elizabeth's blue eyes, except Moses who has his father's green eyes. Gotta love those TS2 genetics! It's one of my favorite things in the game. Anyway...household bank balance is $2286 out of $50,000.
Sub Farm #5 Godwin: Current household members are Emory & Caroline (Gen 2 - adults), Grace (Gen 3 - child), Louise (Gen 3 - toddler), Georgianna (Gen 3 - baby), and Hardy (Gen 3 Heir - baby). Caroline is pregnant with baby #5. While Emory seems to be doing a bit better with the farming, Caroline is still struggling with the household chores and the children. To make matters worse, her last pregnancy resulted in twins! Just what a broke family needs, lol. Grace is not doing well either. Being able to more or less care for herself means she gets little attention from her parents and on top of that she has a D in school. Luckily it's the weekend now and she can hopefully catch up on all that homework. Household bank balance is $1677 out of $50,000.
Wednesday, November 21, 2018
Victorian Population Challenge 11/21/18
Continued from yesterday...
Sub Farm #2 Whitlock: Current household members are Luther & Emma (Gen 1 Founders - elders), Liam & Chastity (Gen 2 Heir/Wife - adults), Josie (Gen 2 - teen), Tia (Gen 3 - toddler), and Siobhan (Gen 3 - baby). Chastity is pregnant with baby #3. Sadly this round the family lost their matriarch Emma. However, her death came with a huge windfall in insurance money - $49,800!! - which pushed the family immediately into Trade. Well done Emma! They will be toymakers, I suppose, since that's what Chastity's been working on so far. It's perfect timing because I have a new couple that needs a farm. Now I don't have to build another one. Household bank balance will be reset upon moving into their new home.
Sub Farm #3 Hayward: Current household members are Amelia (Gen 1 Founder - elder), Noah & Grace (Gen 2 Heir/Wife - adults), Abraham (Gen 3 Heir - child), Eli (Gen 3 - child), Solomon (Gen 3 - toddler), and Ezra (Gen 3 - baby). Grace is pregnant with baby #5. Things are looking up a bit for this family since last update. Wyatt's insurance money was a big help financially. Having so many boys means Noah gets a lot of help with the crops. There's still a sea of baby bottles, but the new flower bench is bringing in extra income. Household bank balance is $18,390 out of $50,000.
Sub Farm #2 Whitlock: Current household members are Luther & Emma (Gen 1 Founders - elders), Liam & Chastity (Gen 2 Heir/Wife - adults), Josie (Gen 2 - teen), Tia (Gen 3 - toddler), and Siobhan (Gen 3 - baby). Chastity is pregnant with baby #3. Sadly this round the family lost their matriarch Emma. However, her death came with a huge windfall in insurance money - $49,800!! - which pushed the family immediately into Trade. Well done Emma! They will be toymakers, I suppose, since that's what Chastity's been working on so far. It's perfect timing because I have a new couple that needs a farm. Now I don't have to build another one. Household bank balance will be reset upon moving into their new home.
Sub Farm #3 Hayward: Current household members are Amelia (Gen 1 Founder - elder), Noah & Grace (Gen 2 Heir/Wife - adults), Abraham (Gen 3 Heir - child), Eli (Gen 3 - child), Solomon (Gen 3 - toddler), and Ezra (Gen 3 - baby). Grace is pregnant with baby #5. Things are looking up a bit for this family since last update. Wyatt's insurance money was a big help financially. Having so many boys means Noah gets a lot of help with the crops. There's still a sea of baby bottles, but the new flower bench is bringing in extra income. Household bank balance is $18,390 out of $50,000.
Tuesday, November 20, 2018
Victorian Population Challenge 11/20/18
Continued from yesterday...
Poor #3 Baldwin: Current household member: Hart (Gen 2 Heir - adult). Since the last update Hart had a small amount of good luck, followed by a large amount of bad luck. First his sister introduced him to her young sister-in-law Josie Whitlock, who is still a teen. Hart and Josie have become friends, which makes her his only real possibility for a future wife. Following that he got promoted back to the top allowable level of Business. Sadly, that's where Hart's luck turned. In a single day he got demoted via a bad chance card and not one, but both, his parents died, leaving him alone in the household. Add to that the fact that Hart's younger brother Van (newly grown to adulthood) recently stopped by their sister Chastity's house and consequently also met Josie and you've got a real mess for Hart. Oh yeah, and he has the flu. The guy just can't catch a break. Household bank balance is $23,165 out of $50,000.
Poor #4 Hopkins: Current household members are Henry & Alice (Gen 2 - adults) and Adelaide (Gen 3 - toddler). Alice is pregnant with baby #2. I forgot to have them pay the bills, which meant a visit from the Repo Man and the loss of their couch. Dumb really because they had enough money to pay. Luckily there are no repercussions for Poor families seeing the Repo Man. Household bank balance is $1347 out of $50,000.
Sub Farm #1 Godwin: Current household members are Jasper (Gen 1 Founder - elder), Silas & Matilda (Gen 2 Heir/Wife - adults), Adolph (Gen 3 Heir - child), Amelia (Gen 3 - child), and Lucius (Gen 3 - toddler). Matilda is pregnant with baby #4. The family is doing better financially, in part due to the life insurance payout when matriarch Harriet died. They've purchased a sewing machine for Matilda so she can contribute to their savings. The men have also been fishing as much as allowed to stock the fridge. They don't want to run out of food again like last Winter. Household bank balance is $11,858 out of $50,000.
Poor #3 Baldwin: Current household member: Hart (Gen 2 Heir - adult). Since the last update Hart had a small amount of good luck, followed by a large amount of bad luck. First his sister introduced him to her young sister-in-law Josie Whitlock, who is still a teen. Hart and Josie have become friends, which makes her his only real possibility for a future wife. Following that he got promoted back to the top allowable level of Business. Sadly, that's where Hart's luck turned. In a single day he got demoted via a bad chance card and not one, but both, his parents died, leaving him alone in the household. Add to that the fact that Hart's younger brother Van (newly grown to adulthood) recently stopped by their sister Chastity's house and consequently also met Josie and you've got a real mess for Hart. Oh yeah, and he has the flu. The guy just can't catch a break. Household bank balance is $23,165 out of $50,000.
Poor #4 Hopkins: Current household members are Henry & Alice (Gen 2 - adults) and Adelaide (Gen 3 - toddler). Alice is pregnant with baby #2. I forgot to have them pay the bills, which meant a visit from the Repo Man and the loss of their couch. Dumb really because they had enough money to pay. Luckily there are no repercussions for Poor families seeing the Repo Man. Household bank balance is $1347 out of $50,000.
Sub Farm #1 Godwin: Current household members are Jasper (Gen 1 Founder - elder), Silas & Matilda (Gen 2 Heir/Wife - adults), Adolph (Gen 3 Heir - child), Amelia (Gen 3 - child), and Lucius (Gen 3 - toddler). Matilda is pregnant with baby #4. The family is doing better financially, in part due to the life insurance payout when matriarch Harriet died. They've purchased a sewing machine for Matilda so she can contribute to their savings. The men have also been fishing as much as allowed to stock the fridge. They don't want to run out of food again like last Winter. Household bank balance is $11,858 out of $50,000.
Monday, November 19, 2018
Victorian Population Challenge 11/19/18
As the residents of Victoria's Peak reach the end of Summer and move into Fall, we'll have another recap.
Poor #1 Stanbury: Current household members are Robert & Faith (Gen 1 Founders - elders), Thomas & Joy (Gen 2 Heir/Wife - adults), Charles (Gen 2 - teen), Robert (Gen 3 Heir - child), Damon (Gen 3 - toddler), and Toby (Gen 3 - baby). Since last round Robert Sr. has managed to obtain not one, but TWO promotions. He finally realized he'd need to skill to get promoted and has been very keen on body points. Thomas has still not shown any interest in skills, so while his performance remains high, he's unlikely to get promoted without a chance card intervention. Claudia has left the household, but Charles is still here for a bit, helping out with a job in Business. Joy is still working on sewing; she's up to a silver badge. The household bank balance is $10,065 out of $50,000.
Poor #2: This household is vacant since the Hopkins leveled up to Trade.
Poor #1 Stanbury: Current household members are Robert & Faith (Gen 1 Founders - elders), Thomas & Joy (Gen 2 Heir/Wife - adults), Charles (Gen 2 - teen), Robert (Gen 3 Heir - child), Damon (Gen 3 - toddler), and Toby (Gen 3 - baby). Since last round Robert Sr. has managed to obtain not one, but TWO promotions. He finally realized he'd need to skill to get promoted and has been very keen on body points. Thomas has still not shown any interest in skills, so while his performance remains high, he's unlikely to get promoted without a chance card intervention. Claudia has left the household, but Charles is still here for a bit, helping out with a job in Business. Joy is still working on sewing; she's up to a silver badge. The household bank balance is $10,065 out of $50,000.
Poor #2: This household is vacant since the Hopkins leveled up to Trade.
Friday, November 9, 2018
Victorian Population Challenge 11/9/18
Victoria's Peak has moved into Summer now. Sub Farmers are harvesting and replanting; Poor are plugging along as usual. There have been a couple new households formed and a few new babies have arrived, bringing the tally to 7 boys/6 girls. We also had our very first death: Wyatt Hayward (age 63). I think we'll have a few more joining Wyatt in the near future. Still no family has moved up to Trade yet, but it shouldn't be too much longer I hope. As it currently stands, there are 4 Poor households and 6 Sub Farmers. I will plan on doing an in depth update on each household again as they near the end of Summer.
Saturday, November 3, 2018
Victorian Population Challenge 11/3/18
Continuing from yesterday's post...
Sub Farmer #2 Whitlock: Current members of this household are Luther & Emma (Gen 1 Founders), who are both elders, their children Liam (Gen 2 Heir), Benjamin (teen), and Josie (child), and Liam's wife Chastity (formerly Baldwin), who is pregnant with the couple's first child. The other children of Luther & Emma have all moved out. This household also has the "slow time" glitch, which has another pro/con for sub farmers in that the crops grow much faster than usual, but they also grow weeds/get bugs faster too. The heir, Liam, is the 4th child and I thought it would mean he'd get a much later start than the other heirs, but he's actually on par with most of them (ahead of poor Hart Baldwin even). This family ended up with the most children born into Gen 2, with a whopping 8 thanks to that fast pregnancy thing. Financially though they're just average. They did buy a toy bench last round, so that will add some income. Also Benjamin has a teen job in the Athletic career. The household bank balance is $5411 out of $50,000.
Sub Farmer #3 Hayward: Current members of this household are Wyatt & Amelia (Gen 1 Founders), who are both elders, their children Noah (Gen 2 Heir) and Julian (teen), Noah's wife Grace (formerly Hopkins), and Noah & Grace's children Abraham (Gen 3 Heir - child) and Eli (toddler). Grace is pregnant with the couple's third child. This family has always struggled for some reason. Wyatt and Amelia have a hot/cold relationship, falling in and out of love on a regular basis. No one likes to clean, so there was a sea of baby bottles on the floor for a long time. Grace and Abraham have cleaned most of them up at this point, but Grace is always pregnant and Abraham is at school most of the day, so they still pile up. Add to that the fact that none of the teens ever seem to do well in school. Julian's current grade is D-, which means he can't take a teen job to help out. Add to that the fact that one of the elders has only a day or two to live (honestly that might be a blessing) and you've got one miserable family. The household bank balance is $1881 out of $50,000.
Sub Farmer #4 Hayward: Current members of this household are Levi (Gen 2 Spare) & Elizabeth (formerly Stanbury) and their children James (Gen 3 Heir - child), John (toddler), and Anna (baby). Elizabeth is pregnant with the couple's 4th child. As a relatively new household money must be conserved at all costs. They will need to purchase many new beds for their growing family, as well as have cash on hand for planting and other helpful gardening items like the compost bin and ladybug houses. Levi goes fishing as often as possible to supplement their food supply until the crops are ready to harvest in summer. James has been having trouble in school (he has a D), but was finally able to get caught up on homework this round, so hopefully he'll bump back up to a C at least. Elizabeth has been having a tough pregnancy so far and John is a very difficult toddler, making it even more difficult for her, but hopefully she'll press on. The household bank balance is $1299 out of $50,000.
Sub Farmer #5 Godwin: Current members of this household are Emory (Gen 2 Spare) & Caroline (formerly Hayward) and their children Grace (toddler) and Louise (baby). This family is financially and physically struggling. The garden seems to be constantly overgrown and buggy, the kitchen is quickly filling with bottles, both adults are constantly exhausted despite the girls being fairly calm, and their bank balance is down to $798, which will soon go even lower as Grace reaches childhood and needs a bed. Fishing is out of the question, but Emory was able to harvest the fruit trees, so at least they won't starve.
Sub Farmer #2 Whitlock: Current members of this household are Luther & Emma (Gen 1 Founders), who are both elders, their children Liam (Gen 2 Heir), Benjamin (teen), and Josie (child), and Liam's wife Chastity (formerly Baldwin), who is pregnant with the couple's first child. The other children of Luther & Emma have all moved out. This household also has the "slow time" glitch, which has another pro/con for sub farmers in that the crops grow much faster than usual, but they also grow weeds/get bugs faster too. The heir, Liam, is the 4th child and I thought it would mean he'd get a much later start than the other heirs, but he's actually on par with most of them (ahead of poor Hart Baldwin even). This family ended up with the most children born into Gen 2, with a whopping 8 thanks to that fast pregnancy thing. Financially though they're just average. They did buy a toy bench last round, so that will add some income. Also Benjamin has a teen job in the Athletic career. The household bank balance is $5411 out of $50,000.
Sub Farmer #3 Hayward: Current members of this household are Wyatt & Amelia (Gen 1 Founders), who are both elders, their children Noah (Gen 2 Heir) and Julian (teen), Noah's wife Grace (formerly Hopkins), and Noah & Grace's children Abraham (Gen 3 Heir - child) and Eli (toddler). Grace is pregnant with the couple's third child. This family has always struggled for some reason. Wyatt and Amelia have a hot/cold relationship, falling in and out of love on a regular basis. No one likes to clean, so there was a sea of baby bottles on the floor for a long time. Grace and Abraham have cleaned most of them up at this point, but Grace is always pregnant and Abraham is at school most of the day, so they still pile up. Add to that the fact that none of the teens ever seem to do well in school. Julian's current grade is D-, which means he can't take a teen job to help out. Add to that the fact that one of the elders has only a day or two to live (honestly that might be a blessing) and you've got one miserable family. The household bank balance is $1881 out of $50,000.
Sub Farmer #4 Hayward: Current members of this household are Levi (Gen 2 Spare) & Elizabeth (formerly Stanbury) and their children James (Gen 3 Heir - child), John (toddler), and Anna (baby). Elizabeth is pregnant with the couple's 4th child. As a relatively new household money must be conserved at all costs. They will need to purchase many new beds for their growing family, as well as have cash on hand for planting and other helpful gardening items like the compost bin and ladybug houses. Levi goes fishing as often as possible to supplement their food supply until the crops are ready to harvest in summer. James has been having trouble in school (he has a D), but was finally able to get caught up on homework this round, so hopefully he'll bump back up to a C at least. Elizabeth has been having a tough pregnancy so far and John is a very difficult toddler, making it even more difficult for her, but hopefully she'll press on. The household bank balance is $1299 out of $50,000.
Sub Farmer #5 Godwin: Current members of this household are Emory (Gen 2 Spare) & Caroline (formerly Hayward) and their children Grace (toddler) and Louise (baby). This family is financially and physically struggling. The garden seems to be constantly overgrown and buggy, the kitchen is quickly filling with bottles, both adults are constantly exhausted despite the girls being fairly calm, and their bank balance is down to $798, which will soon go even lower as Grace reaches childhood and needs a bed. Fishing is out of the question, but Emory was able to harvest the fruit trees, so at least they won't starve.
Friday, November 2, 2018
Victorian Population Challenge 11/2/18
I'd like to start talking about the individual families that I'm playing and what's going on with each household.
Poor #1 Stanbury: Current members of this household are Robert & Faith (Gen 1 Founders), who are both elders, their children Thomas (Gen 2 Heir), Claudia (teen), and Charles (child), and Thomas' wife Joy (formerly a Baldwin), who is pregnant with the couple's first child. The other children of Robert & Faith have all grown up and either married or moved into one of the public houses for singles. Robert and Thomas both work in the Adventurer career, which has no cap on the level they are allowed to reach. Nevertheless, Robert has never managed to secure even one promotion, despite having the required skills/friends. He always seems to be miserable when he heads out, so his performance is pretty low. In fact, it's surprising he still has a job at all. Thomas is at level 2 and Claudia also brings in a little money with her teen job in Law Enforcement. Recently the family saved enough money to buy a sewing machine so that the ladies of the household can contribute to income as well. Luckily, Joy had nearly earned a bronze badge in sewing while living at the group home for single women. Since Thomas is not likely to earn a promotion any time soon (he needs 2 charisma, but I only have them skill if they roll the want), the extra income from Joy is quite helpful in keeping food on the table. The household bank balance is $2847. They will need $50,000 to move up to Trade, so that will not be happening for a long while.
Poor #2 Hopkins: Current members of this household are Simon & Elsie (Gen 1 Founders), who are both elders, their children Nathaniel (Gen 2 Heir) and Bess (child), and Nathaniel's wife Johanna (formerly a Whitlock), who is pregnant with the couple's first child. The other children of Simon and Elsie have all moved out. This household has the "slow time" glitch, which means in normal speed time passes very slowly making it impossible to play on any speed but the fastest. There are pros and cons to this glitch, as some time related functions of the game move according to the slowed down time and others continue to progress at the normal rate. For example, pregnancy progresses at the normal pace, meaning instead of 3 days, a typical pregnancy will last about half that amount of time. It makes it easy to fill the house with babies. Bills and the repo man also progress as normal, which makes it difficult to know when bills are due and what time of the day or night the repo man might show up. Luckily the family has enough money now that they can pay bills immediately. Another plus is that aspiration level degrades much more slowly so that everyone is always in a platinum mood, and will easily top their Lifetime Aspiration Meter, becoming Perma-Plat. On the other hand, while relationships within the family remain strong, maintaining relationships outside the household are very difficult as they drop at about twice the normal rate. Moving the family out and back in might fix the glitch, but I've decided for now to just live with it, as the pros and cons are fairly balanced. As stated in a previous post, the Hopkins are likely to be first to move up to Trade. Elsie is a flower arranging goddess, making about 50 snapdragons per day. Her husband Simon is at the highest allowed level of the Business career (level 3 - Field Sales Rep) and her son Nathaniel is at level 4 of the Athletic career, which has no cap. The household bank balance is $36,605 out of the $50,000 they need to level up.
Poor #3 Baldwin: Current members of this household are Heath & Lucinda (Gen 1 Founders), who are both elders and their children Hart (Gen 2 Heir) and Van (teen). The other children of Heath & Lucinda have all moved out. Hart has not found a wife yet. Heath is at level 2 of the Military career, which has no cap. He previously worked in the Science career, but when he was promoted above the cap he was forced to quit. Hart was at the highest allowable level of the Business career (level 3), but he was demoted due to a bad chance card. Lucinda adds to the family's funds via pottery making (she's not very good at it though, lol) and Van has a teen job in Law Enforcement. This family has struggled for a long time, but they've finally starting making some headway towards leveling up to Trade. Unfortunately, if Hart doesn't produce an heir, it may all be for nothing. The rules don't stipulate what to do if an heir doesn't marry and carry on his line. I guess that's a bridge I'll cross when and if I get to it. At the moment, I'm considering one of two options: a) have the next of Hart's brothers who gets married move back into the family home and become the heir or b) allow Hart to live out his life in the family home and then move the next Poor couple in to take over the lot. The household bank balance is $9957 out of the $50,000 needed to level up.
Poor #4 Hopkins: Current members of this household are Henry & Alice (formerly Whitlock). They are newlyweds and expecting their first child. Henry is a Gen 2 spare starting a new household, with very few furnishings and a bank balance of $5. He has a job in Military (level 4) which has no cap. Since they have so little money, Alice will not be able to take up a craft yet. Wives are also permitted to earn money via fishing, selling lemonade, and busking, but I don't usually pursue those as lemonade makes very little income and she'd have to leave the house for the other two, which is difficult to do with small children.
Sub Farmer #1 Godwin: Current members of this household are Jasper & Harriet (Gen 1 Founders), who are both elders, their children Silas (Gen 2 Heir) and Esme (teen), Silas' wife Matilda (formerly Whitlock), and Silas and Matilda's children Adolph (Gen 3 Heir - toddler) and Amelia (baby). Matilda is pregnant with the couple's third child. Only non-heir teens are permitted to have jobs in the Sub Farmer class, so the only one working here is Esme as a Slacker. Farming must be the primary source of income, though extra income may be earned in the usual ways (crafting, fishing, etc.) This family has not yet saved enough money for a crafting bench, but the harvest is coming soon thankfully. The winter was especially hard on them. The community pond froze early and thawed late, so they were not able to supplement their food stores with fish. Since Sub Farmers are not allowed to buy groceries, they were in danger of starving. Luckily Matilda's parents were able to spare a couple of fish, which they gifted to the Godwins. Things are looking up for them, but their bank balance is only $1751 out of $50,000, so no promotion to Trade in the near future.
Poor #1 Stanbury: Current members of this household are Robert & Faith (Gen 1 Founders), who are both elders, their children Thomas (Gen 2 Heir), Claudia (teen), and Charles (child), and Thomas' wife Joy (formerly a Baldwin), who is pregnant with the couple's first child. The other children of Robert & Faith have all grown up and either married or moved into one of the public houses for singles. Robert and Thomas both work in the Adventurer career, which has no cap on the level they are allowed to reach. Nevertheless, Robert has never managed to secure even one promotion, despite having the required skills/friends. He always seems to be miserable when he heads out, so his performance is pretty low. In fact, it's surprising he still has a job at all. Thomas is at level 2 and Claudia also brings in a little money with her teen job in Law Enforcement. Recently the family saved enough money to buy a sewing machine so that the ladies of the household can contribute to income as well. Luckily, Joy had nearly earned a bronze badge in sewing while living at the group home for single women. Since Thomas is not likely to earn a promotion any time soon (he needs 2 charisma, but I only have them skill if they roll the want), the extra income from Joy is quite helpful in keeping food on the table. The household bank balance is $2847. They will need $50,000 to move up to Trade, so that will not be happening for a long while.
Poor #2 Hopkins: Current members of this household are Simon & Elsie (Gen 1 Founders), who are both elders, their children Nathaniel (Gen 2 Heir) and Bess (child), and Nathaniel's wife Johanna (formerly a Whitlock), who is pregnant with the couple's first child. The other children of Simon and Elsie have all moved out. This household has the "slow time" glitch, which means in normal speed time passes very slowly making it impossible to play on any speed but the fastest. There are pros and cons to this glitch, as some time related functions of the game move according to the slowed down time and others continue to progress at the normal rate. For example, pregnancy progresses at the normal pace, meaning instead of 3 days, a typical pregnancy will last about half that amount of time. It makes it easy to fill the house with babies. Bills and the repo man also progress as normal, which makes it difficult to know when bills are due and what time of the day or night the repo man might show up. Luckily the family has enough money now that they can pay bills immediately. Another plus is that aspiration level degrades much more slowly so that everyone is always in a platinum mood, and will easily top their Lifetime Aspiration Meter, becoming Perma-Plat. On the other hand, while relationships within the family remain strong, maintaining relationships outside the household are very difficult as they drop at about twice the normal rate. Moving the family out and back in might fix the glitch, but I've decided for now to just live with it, as the pros and cons are fairly balanced. As stated in a previous post, the Hopkins are likely to be first to move up to Trade. Elsie is a flower arranging goddess, making about 50 snapdragons per day. Her husband Simon is at the highest allowed level of the Business career (level 3 - Field Sales Rep) and her son Nathaniel is at level 4 of the Athletic career, which has no cap. The household bank balance is $36,605 out of the $50,000 they need to level up.
Poor #3 Baldwin: Current members of this household are Heath & Lucinda (Gen 1 Founders), who are both elders and their children Hart (Gen 2 Heir) and Van (teen). The other children of Heath & Lucinda have all moved out. Hart has not found a wife yet. Heath is at level 2 of the Military career, which has no cap. He previously worked in the Science career, but when he was promoted above the cap he was forced to quit. Hart was at the highest allowable level of the Business career (level 3), but he was demoted due to a bad chance card. Lucinda adds to the family's funds via pottery making (she's not very good at it though, lol) and Van has a teen job in Law Enforcement. This family has struggled for a long time, but they've finally starting making some headway towards leveling up to Trade. Unfortunately, if Hart doesn't produce an heir, it may all be for nothing. The rules don't stipulate what to do if an heir doesn't marry and carry on his line. I guess that's a bridge I'll cross when and if I get to it. At the moment, I'm considering one of two options: a) have the next of Hart's brothers who gets married move back into the family home and become the heir or b) allow Hart to live out his life in the family home and then move the next Poor couple in to take over the lot. The household bank balance is $9957 out of the $50,000 needed to level up.
Poor #4 Hopkins: Current members of this household are Henry & Alice (formerly Whitlock). They are newlyweds and expecting their first child. Henry is a Gen 2 spare starting a new household, with very few furnishings and a bank balance of $5. He has a job in Military (level 4) which has no cap. Since they have so little money, Alice will not be able to take up a craft yet. Wives are also permitted to earn money via fishing, selling lemonade, and busking, but I don't usually pursue those as lemonade makes very little income and she'd have to leave the house for the other two, which is difficult to do with small children.
Sub Farmer #1 Godwin: Current members of this household are Jasper & Harriet (Gen 1 Founders), who are both elders, their children Silas (Gen 2 Heir) and Esme (teen), Silas' wife Matilda (formerly Whitlock), and Silas and Matilda's children Adolph (Gen 3 Heir - toddler) and Amelia (baby). Matilda is pregnant with the couple's third child. Only non-heir teens are permitted to have jobs in the Sub Farmer class, so the only one working here is Esme as a Slacker. Farming must be the primary source of income, though extra income may be earned in the usual ways (crafting, fishing, etc.) This family has not yet saved enough money for a crafting bench, but the harvest is coming soon thankfully. The winter was especially hard on them. The community pond froze early and thawed late, so they were not able to supplement their food stores with fish. Since Sub Farmers are not allowed to buy groceries, they were in danger of starving. Luckily Matilda's parents were able to spare a couple of fish, which they gifted to the Godwins. Things are looking up for them, but their bank balance is only $1751 out of $50,000, so no promotion to Trade in the near future.
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