I have 4 games going and have different variations for each. The first one, they have 6 kids and I buy lots of stuff for the house. The career upgrades can wait. In another, I have one kid (if an adoptee comes, I'll take him/her), and only buy food. The other 2 are other variations (4 kids in one, buying everything, 2 kids in the other, buying repair kits, food, fruit and candy). That's what makes this game fun! You can choose whatever size family you want and go for whatever upgrades you want.