Hi Deanna. Are you playing on Desktop (Windows/Mac) or Mobile (iOS, Android, or Kindle fire) or both? If you're playing on Desktop, see my reply to you here. On Mobile there are In-App purchases (aka IAP's) for both Tech points and Food, as well as some other goodies. I'm mentioning it because this is the forum for Virtual Villagers Origins for iOS. Have you checked out the Strategy Guide and Puzzle Hints yet?