I don't know who needs to hear this, but your save doesn't have to be "perfect".

Amen! Half the fun of the game is seeing where it takes you. Although I will admit I usually always go in a new save with an idea of what I want to happen, same with building or even creating sims. I also take inspiration from others and their sims, their sims' style, building style, etc.

But, if things don't go the way I want I usually just roll with the punches. Only catch is I play with aging off. :P
My sims age up when I want them to, lol.