I like to micro manage my Sims and their storylines XD
I like to give/to do the freerealestate cheat, but no money cheats (unless removing money). Unless a senior (and even then mostly not), I really don't like giving them a leg up on skills.
My go-tos to make Sims more fleshed out/unique Sims is usually 2 things. 1) I'll add a handful reward traits to give them an edge (or add character) before grinding out skills, careers or aspirations. 2) Locking skills (with a skill lock mod) to match their persona.
There are still plenty of aspirations to do for a stereotyped type characters—even if with the reward trait advantages. Usually, it is nice to play a Sim in a test playthrough first to see if the traits, skills and playstyle works for me and the Sim.
Keeping certain Sims without certain skills is just nice that they don't all eventually excel at everything—are just more satisfying at what they do excel at.
