How do you keep it interesting?

I try to make it as hard as possible for my Sims. Like rags to riches and off-grid. With my off grid I only eat what I grow/catch and do the off-grid trait, only shower in the waterfall and use the bushes for the bathroom. Gives me plenty of time for exploring and building new off-grid houses/huts. Sometimes I will have my lots on-grid but still doing the living off the land type of thing. That way it's more of a challenge (when the bills come) to find ways to make money (like selling sea shells, crops and fish...or only doing "odd jobs" when the crops/fish are making me too much money). Challenges keeps me coming back for more gameplay. If it's too easy, I get bored.