The Broke Family

So, that was a quick play through of the Pleasant Family earlier. I have more stuff to do with them but I don't want to get too far ahead. Now that Angela and Lilith have aged up, I want to age up Dirk and Dustin as well so they can still have their romantic interests. So the next family I played was my favourite family in the Sims 2 Pleasantview, which is The Broke Family. It's a bit of a challenge because, like their name says, they're always broke and short on money. Plus, Brandi, the mother ends up having little kids to raise on top of a rebellious teen.

It starts with a few pictures from the family album. This is Brandi as a little girl with her mother, Betty Newbie. Bob and Betty Newbie are in The Sims (the game before this). Betty seems to be trying to read to Brandi, who is dreaming of stories, probably fairy tales.

Brandi grew up and her parents, Bob and Betty, remained together. Brandi met a man named Skip, who she fell in love with.  I have no idea where Skip came from or who his parents are but I don't really care. XD

Skip proposed to Brandi one night in a bar. Brandi of course said yes. The two were in love and happy. 

I guess they got married and had Dustin, who is the little boy in this picture. And this is Brandi pregnant with Beau, her second son. Skip seems to be freaking out, looks like he's going to be a father twice over.  I wonder why they have a green kitchen counter that doesn't match the rest of the pink kitchen. Lol.

Beau was brought into the world, and Dustin's birthday came up. Skip was there to cheer his boy on and wish him well in his next stage of life. Brandi closed her eyes and wished hard for a good future for Dustin. What were Dustin's hopes and dreams at that age?  Whatever they were, something happened that changed everything.

Dustin's father, Skip, died in a suspicious pool ladder accident one day. I don't know who killed him but they knocked out the only breadwinner and source of income for this family. And that was when Dustin started to turn to a life of crime. He has a job, be what it may, and he helps support his mother and brother with what little income he makes. But Brandi worries about where his future will lead. She is determined to make sure that Beau doesn't follow the same path. 

And that's where the game play starts! Right here, with a cute sleeping Beau in his crib. It's been ages since I've seen a Sims 2 toddler and I love taking care of them. Beau is dreaming peacefully while Brandi takes the time to get some things done. 

Er...not very productive things. There's not a lot here for entertainment. She read the newspaper, did a crossword, checked the weather and then made a paper plane and flew it around. With no other adults to talk to and a full time job as a mum, she probably enjoys being a little silly and childish now and again.

It doesn't take long till Beau wakes up from his nap. He's only got a few days to learn all his necessary toddler skills to transition well into the next stage, so Brandi is spending all her time with him, every waking moment, teaching him how to talk, walk and use the potty. "Say mama...mama".  Beau hurry up and learn. We can't even use aspiration rewards to help because Brandi doesn't have enough reward points. So this is all taking time and effort. Not to mention one other thing.

Yup! Brandi's pregnant. It looks like Skip left her one last gift before he died. Unfortunately this means that Brandi's needs, like energy and hunger, drop faster than normal, making it even harder to spend all her time with Beau, since she has to take some time off to care for her own needs. Pizza isn't healthy but it's food, it's cheap and it satisfies pregnancy cravings. Brandi's belly popped and she spun into her maternity clothes before she grabbed that pizza and gobbled the rest of it.

It's always Spring and Summer in Pleasantview, and it was currently Spring when I took this picture. There was a thunderstorm and lightning hit the tree, setting it on fire. Normally the rain would put out the flames, but the rain chose that moment to stop. So Brandi rushed outside and screamed and waved her arms, as her needs plummeted while she freaked out. We managed to get the phone and call emergency fire service to put it out. But there goes that tree. Oh well. The guy yelling down there is just a random townie that was walking by when it happened.

It's late, but we can't slack off now. Beau's going to grow up any day now. So Brandi is teaching him how to talk. He's almost mastered it, and is doing well. Brandi: "Teddy....teddy...come on, you can say it" 

The other thing they are working on is potty training. Beau is taking a while with this one, but so far he hasn't been able to use his diaper even once, so we are doing well. Brandi snatches every opportunity she has to plonk that baby's butt down on this cute red plastic thing and teach him. He looks a little confused in this pic but he'll get it eventually.

Dustin, hanging out with a friend from work. Geez, can you be any more obvious? It's clear that Dustin is mixing with the wrong sort of crowd. A little too clear. Gordon King is not a nice guy. He's one of the burglars in the Sims 2, and Dustin has lost a fight to him before but they are still friends.

It's hard being a pregnant, single mother. Brandi was starving so she grabbed a TV dinner, but she was exhausted so she fell asleep in it too. Splat. She woke up to eat a couple of mouthfuls, then passed out again, doing this multiple times until eventually she was full and I sent her to bed. Dustin quietly sneaked in and gave a bottle to his hungry little brother, Beau, who is feeling fantastic as he's been working hard and mastering all his toddler skills. Dustin's a good brother. He cares about his mum and siblings. Even though he is jealous of all the time and attention Beau gets.

Sometime during the night, Beau started to change. He stood up on his wobbly toddler legs and swayed. 

He leaped into the air with a burst of confetti, transforming into a child. Good work Beau! You got the highest achievement level that you could as a tot. Things are going really well for him. Plus, he just made room for his impending new baby brother or sister, who is going to need the crib. 

Beau as a child, talking with Brandi and building their relationship. These two share a bed since Beau doesn't have one to sleep in yet. Beds are expensive. Brandi is looking ready to pop any day now.  Beau gets along great with his mother, and even with Dustin, although that will probably change as he gets older.

Beau started going to school the next morning after he aged up. That afternoon, he brought home a friend. They played in Dustin's room, with his pinball table. And also a few clapping games such as Mary Mack. Luckily Dustin was at work so he couldn't get mad about them being in his room. 

Later that night, Brandi goes into labour. She howled and held her stomach. Dustin was just getting home, and heard her screaming. 

Brandi wakes up the entire street with her yelling. Looks like the new baby will be here almost too soon.

It's a boy! Dustin runs into the room to see his mother holding his new baby brother. Brandi has named him Jason. He has black hair, unlike his two older brothers. Dustin seems happy about his new sibling even though it's only going to make money tighter and life more hectic. But hey, it's family.

Tiny Jason is placed into Beau's old crib and Brandi spends some time just looking at him.

Jason takes up most of Brandi's time, when she's not looking after the house, or herself. She alone tends the flowering shrubs outside the front of the house, since they can't afford a gardener. She pays every time a repairman has to come and fix the broken toilet, sink or tub in the bathroom. Brandi is the one that spends time mopping floors and cleaning and cooking. But she always makes time for her children. Brandi is a pro at changing diapers after having two previous children and Jason's little coos as the powder is shaken on are cute. A changing table is a little luxury we could afford.

Then there is the nightly feedings. Getting up at whatever time to give Jason his bottle. Brandi never seems to mind but I keep her well rested. She sleeps whenever the baby sleeps.

Making sure he's clean by giving him a bath in the sink. This activity also helps them bond. 

The newborn days fly past and soon Jason has poofed into a toddler. He wears a little black bear suit for PJs and it is so cute. You can see he has black hair now, when before just his eyebrows were black.

Jason is learning fast, as not only Brandi but Dustin and Beau all help look after him and teach him. He has a platinum plumbob from learning one of his toddler skills. 

Brandi does do most of the work though, because she doesn't have a job and she's at home all day, every day. Well, she does have a job, as a full time mother. That just doesn't bring in any revenue. She has good relationships with her two younger sons though. 

Giving Jason a warm bath. I always wish they stayed younger for longer. In custom made families, I usually use the aging off cheat so I can look after cute toddlers for longer. But no cheats for this family. We're playing out their stories without any cheats because it feels more natural this way.  Jason is enjoying the warm water and the feeling of being clean, while Brandi is trying not to get splashed and get her pajamas wet.

Teaching Jason how to walk. It takes time and patience, but he will eventually get it. He has more days than Beau did, and he's mastering his skills in good time.  The easel to the left is for Beau, he's been practicing his creativity and racking up skill points. Having a good head start with the xylophone as a baby, he now has more creativity points than most adult Sims start with.

Oh, those gold trees that are growing in the hallway are aspiration rewards from Brandi and Dustin's reward panels. They give $40 Simoleans if the Sim has a gold aspiration meter or above. But when it's only green, they give $1 Simolean each. The Sims harvest the money and water the tree, which then regrows more money. We have to be careful when we invite people over though, because guests usually go and steal Simoleans off the tree, which adds insult to injury when this family is already so poor. Dustin is talking on the phone to Gordon from work. And Jason is learning creativity skills with the xylophone. While Beau paints more pictures to sell or decorate the wall.

Yay for Jason! He finally mastered the potty skill and can now go all on his own. I like changing diapers but I doubt that Brandi and Dustin do.  

Beau spending some time playing with his little bro. Jason giggles in delight as his brother yells 'boo!' and stretches his arms out to scare him. Jason isn't scared though, and his laughter brightens the house as he keeps giggling and playing.  

"Peekaboo" Beau chimes, and Jason snickers behind his hands. His brother is about to scare him any second now and the anticipation is all part of the fun. It was nice to watch the brothers play together, since Sims grow up so fast. 

Brandi has made breakfast the next morning and Beau eats them happily while Jason roams around the house playing. Beau's paintings are getting better and so is his relationship with his family members. 

Brandi and Beau are now best friends. Cute. Although, this was over a dinner of hamburgers in the evening. Surprisingly or maybe not, Brandi is a really good cook. She has a high level of skills in cooking and makes tasty meals for everyone. 

Dustin home from school, home from work, and playing with little Jason. Tickle monster attack! 

 He also invites Angela over fairly often from school. Or just calls and asks her over. They usually hang out in his room and play pinball for a few hours. Their relationship is going well.

 It's already time for Jason to grow up. He gets to his feet and wobbles.

 Ta da! Jason is now a child. That means we can sell all the baby stuff for a little bit of cash back. But we have to use some to buy Jason a bed as well, so probably not that much back. Beau is still a child so he sleeps with Brandi in her bed, and Dustin has his own room. There's not really anywhere in this house to fit another person but we'll make do. We got some more money trees and they help marginally.

All three boys together. Dustin is being especially helpful helping Beau with his homework, while Jason hasn't been to school yet so he's just reading a book. We got a bed for Jason and will probably have to get one for Beau as well when he transitions into a teen. That's not far away now. 

Pretty soon, it happens, the confetti explodes everywhere and Beau is aged up. He's now a teen and he's going to need his own bed but there's no room. So unfortunately he'll just have to settle with sleeping in the cramped hallway with his younger brother. Beau takes these conditions as even more reason to study hard, do well in life and make a good career for himself. Getting out of these kind of poor living conditions. He knows his mother wants more for him than this kind of life.  

We plonked another bed in the hall for Beau, and the two brothers dance to the tunes pumping from Dustin's radio. Beau's going to head to college some day soon, so he wants to spend as much time with his family as he can before he moves away. 

Now that her youngest baby is a child and will be in school during the day, Brandi got herself a job to try and help pay for the family's needs. Mortgage, rates, water, electricity, none of it is free, and there are the bills, school fees, groceries and other living costs of life. Brandi knows what her skills are. She is a darn good cook, and she thinks she can put those skills to use somewhere, so she applied for a job in the culinary career and she hasn't looked back since. She may not start at the top but Brandi is no stranger to hard work and she will work her way up the culinary career ladder for sure. She's lucky that there is a car pool to work because she could never afford a car.

 

 

Beau meanwhile, is still painting and creating works of art on his easel to not only bolster his skill points for college but to make a little cash selling the paintings. Jason is following his brother's good example and reading books to learn new skills. Dustin is moving up the career ladder in his job, too. 

It's a hot summer day and Jason has invited a friend home from school today, a little girl from his class. They are happily playing and doing water balloon fights. They play in the back yard, around the small square of water that used to be a pool. It's creepy, knowing someone died in there. And probably not at all safe leaving an open body of water just there in easy reach of people. There's no ladder to climb out once you get in. And there's only one tree left since the other one burned to death from a lightning strike fire. I'm sure Brandi would put a fence around the yard if she could afford to. 

Brandi came home with a promotion from work. Good work, Brandi. It may not be much yet but every little bit helps. 

Jason sleeping in his purple PJs. I don't know where he's going to go in life, but if you look at his personality he has a ton of nice points. So he's a really nice guy. A little bit of a slob and a bit lazy, but he is also really kind. He's still just a child now though, and I'm sure he'll be a teen soon enough. So for right now, it's okay that we don't know what he's going to be yet.

 I sized this next one up a bit because it's not easy to see all the details inside the house. What's happening is, in the middle of the night, there was a burglar. And guess who it is? Gordon King, Dustin's supposed 'friend' from work. This is a low blow and I wouldn't be surprised if Dustin now has it in for this guy. He knows Dustin so he must already know how poor the family are. It was just a nasty, low down thing to do. Thankfully we already installed a burglar alarm and the police came almost straight away. But it woke everyone up and upset them.

 The police woman fought Gordon the burglar but she wasn't strong enough to win, and Gordon got away with stealing Dustin's pinball machine. The whole family was watching the fight in the middle of the night. Beau was thinking about how this would disrupt school for tomorrow and Jason just wanted to go back to sleep. The police left, Gordon ran away. And everyone went back to bed. But we couldn't afford to replace the pinball machine so there goes that. 

 The next day Brandi is getting her moves on with a little feel good dancing. The money trees are bringing in a little bit of income and Beau is still working away at his paintings. They lost a pinball machine but they aren't letting it get them down.

For some reason the lights aren't working that great, so Beau is painting in the blue glow of his mother's decorative flamingo wall neon light. Jason is chowing down on cookies and watching cartoons. The house is quiet. Dustin is probably at his dodgy job.

 Brandi made something special for dessert tonight; a delicious looking berry cheesecake. Jason is bound to come have a piece once he's finished his homework. Brandi doesn't let him get too far behind in his grades.

Beau is a good example for Jason too. The two are best friends now from spending so much time together.

 

Brandi was gifted a computer by some guy that came to the door and dropped it off way back at the start of playing this family. I forgot about it until later on, when I was thinking Beau should maybe look for a job. Beau was not only able to search for jobs, he was able to get scholarships to college. He'll be leaving the house soon to go get a tertiary education.

 

Brandi got promoted again too. She later got demoted due to a chance card where some rich high school kids went through the drive through and paid her with fake bills. At least, I think it was that chance card. But she isn't too worried about the demotion. It sucks and she is unhappy about it but she is confident she can work her way back up to where she was and even past that.

 

As for Dustin, time flew by and he finally aged up into a young adult. He didn't do well at all in his teen years and he doesn't want to repeat the experience. But he learned some things along the way. He's still following the crime track, because once you get into it, it's hard to get back out. But Dustin thinks he can make a living that way. He doesn't really have skills in other areas. Besides, he has to pay back that Gordon King some day. Still, aging up into adult didn't really feel that satisfying or welcome, and Dustin feels pretty let down and disappointed. He thought somehow that it was going to be cooler than this.

Dustin isn't doing so well. He's having a slight mental breakdown. He sank to the floor, overwhelmed by memories and thoughts. He doesn't even notice the stranger waving at him from the footpath. Dustin allowed himself to wallow in self pity and bad feelings for a while, detaching from the surrounding world. But he eventually picked himself up off the ground and went to work for the night.

 Only to come home later that night with the flu. He did recover after some good rest and Brandi's home cooking, though.

Brandi brought home a friend from work, and they danced together and had fun. She's been meeting new people now that she has a paying job and getting out of the house more often. She might even meet someone new to settle down with. But who knows? Skip hasn't been gone all that long and she still misses him. Now with Beau getting ready to move to college and Dustin grown up, he'll be moving out too. That leaves Jason, and Brandi started to miss when they were little. She's not sure which way to go from here, but she's going to keep aiming upwards in her job anyway.

Dustin, as soon as he recovered from the flu, did move out of home into his own small place. Some of it came pre-furnished but he still had to splurge some money on essentials like a bedroom suite and fridge and that doesn't leave him much to live on. He's basically no better off than if he stayed at home with Brandi. But he's an adult now, he has to make his own way in the world. Whatever that way may be.

 One good thing is, he still has Angela. And now that they're both grown ups, they can have a romantic relationship again. Dustin wastes no time in inviting his girlfriend over and greets her with a hug. He knows Angela has high ambitions and is going to go places in life. But he's in love, and even though he knows he's not good for her, well...he can't bear to leave her. Dustin swears he will protect her and won't let anything happen to her. He'll make sure they get rich, one way or another. And he'll prove to his mother that she doesn't need to worry. That he's fine, that he knows what he's doing. He has street smarts. He can make this work. One day, Brandi will be proud of him.

 For now, a cheap meal of mac and cheese on the balcony is fine. Angela smiles and chats as they share the meal, and laugh about their poor cooking skills. They talk about their dreams and plans. Together, they swear, they will be successful.

 

And that's all the screenshots I have for the Broke family so far. Now I have to age up Lilith's boyfriend, so I'm going to go and play the Dreamer Family for a while.