I set up the house the way I want, within their budget. I double check to be sure there is a fire alarm. ;) I rarely use the Motherlode cheat these days. I like the idea of the Millionaire Scenario, but grinding away to get that much gets dull. I wish we could assign an amount to aim for.
Everybody gets a yoga mat. I try to give them a chess board when possible. I start them skilling as soon as I can. A lot of my sims paint and I sell everything I can on Plopsy. It takes longer to sell the item, but the money is worth it. I get the woodbench they use for handiness skill so I can raise that skill and make cheap furniture.
I've begun to realize a radio is more important than a TV, and a lot cheaper besides. They can listen to music and/or dance to get happy.
As money comes in I will upgrade items and add more furniture.
Vampires always get an umbrella stand, and I hover over them quite a bit to keep them from frying in the sun while I level them up. For me the sun immunity ability is a must. I cannot understand why they will burn to death when they are two steps from the house.
I play with aging off and neighborhood stories disabled.
edited to add the last 2 paragraphs.
