I don’t spend money on this game unless there is a special on Sim Cash (initial bump + some everyday for 1 month, for $2.99); or, I make it to the end of the Mayors’ Pass and there are some properties I really like in the Premium Pass for $8.99. (Sometimes that helps to complete the last 5 Free Pass tiers at the last minute.) Even so, that is only about once or twice a year. Have been playing almost 10 years and I have all but 1 region and about 1/2 of the Capitol City land expansion. I used to enjoy Design Challenge (and I would start playing it again *if* EA would return items used in the Challenge to where they were before the competition started. Figuring out where everything was before that is not too difficult, but is a drag. I started a club that was pretty successful, but keeping everyone on board and following the same strategy got old, as well as, watching the hackers do whatever they please. I had people around the world on my team and meeting up twice a week was not always convenient. Most of my team members wanted to war so they just stopped playing. Now I only have one member, but he is a great guy who always wants to help with the Contest of Mayor’s when he shows up.The key to playing the way I do is patience - especially when it comes to getting what I need from the Global Trade HQ, because of my lack of members. But, the trade off is that I don’t have to deal with trying to figure out the optimal time to begin wars or determine trade practices without alienating someone.