I didn't use the internet to know about mods as a child when I played ts1 (I didn't even know cheats existed)
I mainly played ts2 on console so I couldn't use mods.
With the sims 3 I had some cc and mods for store content (mechanic added, different styles object)
For the sims 4 if I'm using mods my must haves are
1. Mcc command by deaderpool (tumblr)
2. Social activities by Little Ms Sam (tumblr)
3. Homework overhaul by Scarletqueenkat (mts)
4. Don't prep where you poop by Scumbumbo (mts)
5. More columns in CAS by Weerbesu (mts)
I also have SimCity loans but I would not say it's a must for me. I would like SNBank once inheritance is added.
I could play without mods just fine, did so for the first 4 years before as I didn't have the patience to learn mcc. But these just make my style of play easier.
The only CC i have are wedding dresses and hairs, as I play rotationally all my wedding photos started looking so same. I use the sims 4 studio to batch fix all cc so nothing is allowed for random, and delete wedding outfits after the wedding.
Oh and I use a Moschino override that makes the English test simlish
