Yeah, I'm pleased with how well that game is going... The collections are usually the last to complete, but I'm taking a different attitude this time.

But in any game I always make sure that I have at least one kid to pick things up (sometimes becuase of babyboom waves I have no choice to wait for someone to die). But I've never had the problem with all of the ladies getting too old.
I don't understand your upgrade tip. The collectibles don't count until they reach the hut.