Sims is totally bugged

43TBH  That's good in that it means the problem is limited to your old save, not a general system issue.  For the old save, try moving your main household to a default EA-made lot, or to a blank one.  Don't place a house from the Gallery or your own Library; just build a box and put their stuff inside if you have to.  You don't need to save your progress either; this is just for testing.

If this doesn't help, empty out your sims' inventories, and the household inventory, and items (fridges, bookcases, etc.) that have their own inventories, in that order.