This is the kind of situation where I do use cheats. I understand some people were wanting a harder game. I would also like more to do. If however I think that bills are too high or if ten objects break in a row or one of the sims keeps buying sandwiches from a vending machine when I don't want them to, in cases like those I will use the cheats and not feel at all bad about it. If my sims seem to get double-billed on vacation, I'll offset it. Usually I use Kaching for that. Motherlode is one I usually only use for designing homes or occasional situations like very wealthy sims getting interest or a high net worth divorce.
Anyway, I use cheats to fix situations like billing that I think is too high and I don't mind doing so. I'm not looking for a totally easy game but I know some players want much higher bills. I'm ok with having my sims accumulate Simoleons, I just want more for them to do with it.