I used to use a ton of CC, but as more packs came out, I finally had much less use for it, so I've been playing without for several years now. Mods, however, I definitely need. But I try to keep it minimal to only the ones I need most because the more mods you use, the greater the chance of conflict between them, and the greater risk of game corruption. MC Command is a must-have. I used to just put in the modules I knew how to use and discard all of the ones that enabled story progression, but after a bit of a learning curve, I've figured out how to turn all of that off so I can now use the entire program.
Other must-have mods I use are by Bienchen/Sims4Me. The No Autonomous Phone mod has been a savior to my game, ensuring that no Sims use their phones at all. That mod also has a bunch of modules, depending on which packs you have and how little phone use you want. Her other mods that I use are Situation Outfits Begone in the Magic Realm, and No Celebrity Walk Style, because my oldest played Sim got bugged with that and nothing I do will get rid of it. I've also temporarily been using her Bartender Fix mod and Less Tattoo Socials because it's all. the. time.
My newest mods are from Down in Sims Land, to fix the Masquerade Ball outfits that weren't working, and Less Couples on Public Lots because omg they're everywhere taking up Sim space.
Now and then I'll try out a new mod when something in my game is disruptive, but I try to keep it to mod creators that have a long-standing reputation for updating after patches and are trustworthy. Little Ms Sam is another great source for small tuning mods. I've used some of hers in the past, when needed, and may again.
I don't have all of the packs, and don't need the ones I don't have. For EPs I don't have High School Years because it contains even more phone obsession stuff and the high school gameplay isn't at all what I would have desired. (I wanted more social drama, less sitting in class doing nothing.) Plus, it's always bugged, it seems. I also don't have For Rent because I'm afraid to buy it, with the massive game corruptions it brought.
For Game packs, I don't have the Home Decor one, because all I'd really want is the CAS, and I remember it having a share of bugs as well, so it's fine. I also don't have Parenthood because it's not at all my jam. Love children, don't want to simulate the details of raising them, lol. And the autonomous making messes everywhere would drive me out of my mind. I'm just a Childless Cat Lady at heart. 😄
For Stuff Packs, I don't have Home Chef Hustle because I don't care much about food in the game. There are other Stuff Packs, in retrospect, that I wouldn't have bought if I wasn't so desperate at the time for more CAS, but really, I have no regrets.
Kits, I own about half, maybe? Perhaps a little bit more. I just buy the ones that I feel I would use.
Well. That was a novel I didn't expect to write, lol.
