How Many Households?

I currently have 9 saves I actively play with between 5-9 played households in each. There are more households with my Sims in each save, but if I don't feel like playing a household anymore I 'retire' it, that's what I call it. I mark it as unplayed and keep it in my faves to keep an eye on it. Sometimes I will go back and start playing it again and sometimes it's just to give the kids proper outfits when they age up. I will also move out the offspring that aged up and have them start a family of their own to keep the saves populated. I really enjoy playing this way because it keeps the game interesting for me.