Master save file

What I do is I save the families and builds to my gallery, less to share (though people are welcome to use them if they like) and more as a "cloud save"
then every time I restart my Master save (my last one got zapped in a hard drive failure), I try to start somewhere new, and just pause and place down my previous work.  If I've done multiple of a particular family or build, I just pick one.

I only play my master save file and I keep a backup. I've lost it several times and at first I'm always distraught but then I actually enjoy starting it again. I have the same Sims as before but as some were base game, as I've caught up with all the packs it's given me a chance to recreate them with the full game. They have the same appearance but are better dressed and I might change their look a bit. Their homes will be better too. Their core personality will be the same and they'll eventually have the same kids they had before too. New content will really add to their story, so for example my Spellcaster Aurora was just a nature loving Sim. But after I lost my save and had to remake her, I'd added Realm of Magic and Cottage Living so she was remade as a Spellcaster with wild birds, rabbits and foxes in her garden. Next time I had to remake her I had Horse Ranch and Werewolves. So now she has a Unicorn and is a friend of the Werewolves. My base game writer, Alla became a horror writer and now lives in Ravenwood. All of my OG Sims have been  changed by the new packs I've added. Losing my master save turned out to be not so bad after all.

I've been working on this save for over 2 years now and my current project has been giving some Townies a life. I'm going through the core Townies that are friends with my Sims and giving them careers and homes. I had loads of empty apartments in San Myshuno so I've been decorating some and moving Townies in. I also linked it with Pride month with a few rainbow themed builds and Sims. That's been a really fun project. I go through the oddly dressed Townies and edit them already because those random outfits are not so great! I've also edited quite a few of the base game Sims homes too, like Nancy's and the Goths.

I also go through public lots and do a lot of work. My gyms are also spas and my parks are campsites and often have outdoor cinemas too. I've updated vacation rentals in the Jungle and Granite Falls too. I need to redo the bars and lounges though as I haven't done enough of them. I've also added shopping malls and retail stores in a few worlds too.

I'm hoping I don't lose this save while I'm just getting it how I want it 🤞. 

I maintain my master save file on my desktop (folder labeled so game does not try to read it) and also on a flash drive which I keep updated at least weekly.  Sims 4 is the only game I play.   I always play my master save file.  I am always saying that I have 1 game which has ? 5 saves?  I think.  It's just easier for me.

I won't use google cloud services any more because I did not like the consequences I endured by doing so.  I suggest if you use google cloud that you educate yourself on how it works.  But even then I recommend that you have a seperate backed up game file on your desktop or external drive.  

I also do not use cc or mod so that I don't have to 'remove cc or mod' to verify which cc or mod is not working right -- or if any cc or mod that caused or causes an issue.  Call me lazy but I prefer to keep it simple!!!