Finances in Sullivan

I just thought I would run down how finances work in Sullivan. As I mentioned previously, I've never liked how easy it is to earn money and build a huge fortune in TS2. With Sullivan, I've put some rules in place that make it not so easy.

First of all, every Sim in Sullivan has a bank account with Monique's computer. They don't put money in it with any sort of regularity or system but usually if they get a huge payout at work, they'll put all of it in there if they don't need it. Before a Sim dies, I make sure the money in their account gets dispersed among their children. I also use it to make payments for all the things I'm about to list.

Any Sim in Sullivan can take a loan out, also using Monique's computer, at any time for any reason they wish. This usually ends up being a mortgage for a house but Nathaniel and Joanne took out a small loan for farm equipment when they were first starting out and various other Sims have taken out loans for furniture and private school fees.

Sims who are employed in full-time jobs have to pay taxes once per rotation. Taxes are 10% of total income and couples pay jointly.

All Sims who own their own homes must now pay property tax. This is bundled in with their income tax, so Sims pay 10% of their income + monetary value of their property (I use the button in Buy/Build mode to check this).

An immigration fee of $3000 must be paid for any townie or NPC I want to move in or marry in to a household.

Public school is free. Private school is very expensive. The fees are $3000 per rotation for the first child and $1000 per rotation for each additional child. When Sacha and Emmy's kids were still in school, they would spend almost everything they earned putting the kids through school. They must have been relieved when Pascal decided not to go to college, because my Sims have to pay for that too.

How much Sims pay for college depends on how many scholarships they earn. If their parents can't afford the fees, they don't get enough scholarships or don't have the want, they don't go.

If they earn 4 scholarships, they pay $2000 per rotation.
If they earn 6 scholarships, they pay $1000 per rotation.
If they earn 8 scholarships, I consider that a full scholarship and they attend for free.

I created the last category especially for Raffaella. She's the only Sim who's earned it so far but she worked really hard during high school and I thought that kids who do work that hard should be rewarded.

I also use Monique's child support hack so that absent parents have to pay for a child's rearing. The amount and frequency of payment decreases as the child gets older.

Adoption incurs a one-time fee of $10,000 for an infant, $5000 for a toddler and $3000 for a child. I haven't used this yet but I might soon.

Marriage licenses cost $500. If Sims get married at home, there's no additional fee but if they get married at the chapel or one of the parks, there is an extra charge.

I also use the Taxi Charges Money mod and the Vehicles Cost Money To Drive hack. Within the neighbourhood, the taxi charges by distance. Travel to other subhoods is $35. The cost of car trips is generally static and depends on the age of the car.

If you've got any questions, just leave a comment and I'll get back to you. :)