QUICK LINKS TO GAME MODS THAT I ACTUALLY USE (AND A FEW THAT I DON'T)

Mods make Sims 3 gaming easier. At least, I think they do. Want to find out for yourself? Here are my recommendations for mods, and a brief summary of what they do.  A * means I've actually used this mod or an earlier version of this mod from the link posted for it.

Disclaimer First!

Please read the notes for the mod on the link posted to it. Since neither I, nor anyone else at TSR, created any of these mods, you will be installing these at your own risk.  So: Read ALL Mod Documentation Before Installing! You have been warned.

Mod Categories I Use

Here's how I group the different types of mods that can be used in the Sims 3.  These mod categories are not defined anywhere according to my knowledge. I made them up.

Game Be Good

These customize the global game play in any world or saved game I choose. I want my game to act the same every time I load it, and I don't want to have to spend time entering cheats or parameters every time I play.

Sims Be Good

These customize the way the sims act in the game. Whether the mod is used or not during gameplay depends on the scenario it is designed to modify. If that scenario doesn't happen, you won't see the effects of installing the mod.

Objects Be Good

These modify the properties of in-game objects or the availability of in-game objects during game play. Whether or not the mod is used during gameplay depends on the object it modifies and possibly how the object will affect Sims in Live Mode.

My Mod Quick Link List

These mods all come from other sites. Some of them require a free membership before you can access the downloads.

Game Be Good Mods

In Game Camera: Adds controls to the game camera in Live or Build/Buy mode

* No Drift Free Cam Mod by AikeaGuinea at ModTheSims  I recommend it!

In Build/Buy mode, slows down camera Zoom speed and gives game camera more stop angles for more precise picture taking. This does not affect the Sims cameras, only the one used to view the game.

* No Drift Free Cam in Live Mode by Guhudain and Cmomoney at Mahamudosim3  

I recommend it!

 Same as above but in Live Mode.

Console Cheats: Auto-enters Ctrl+Shift+C cheats at start-up of game

* Build/Buy Restriction Choker by ButtLaser at ModTheSims  I recommend it!

Opens the Community Objects panel on the Build Mode screen for any lot, community or otherwise.

* Short Cheats and Auto Cheats by ButtLaser at ModTheSims

Adds abbreviated codes for game players who toggle these codes on/off several times during game play. Some console cheats are auto-entered at game startup but you can turn them back off.

Game Intro: Gets rid of Intro or splash screens

* No Intro by Rick at ModTheSims

Replaces the Intro Video with a black screen.

* No Maxis Intro by EllaCharmed at ModTheSims

 Replaces the Maxis Splash Screen with a black screen.

Day/Night Cheats: Controls the management of Day to Night in-game

* Longer Days by Gurra at ModTheSims

 Causes sunrise and sunset times to occur at the times specified in the mod. Different flavors available.

  Edit Town Cheats: Customize the way you can use Edit Town mode in-game.

* AddLotSize by VelocityGrass at ModTheSims  I recommend it!

Adds a lot size of any length and width you specify (cannot be greater than 64x64).

Sims Be Good Mods

Autonomy: Whether a Sim will or will not automatically do an action during game play

* Eat Your Leftovers by Werismyki at ModTheSims

Sims will or will not eat leftovers first if there are any in fridge, and will or will not put leftovers away autonomously. Different flavors to pick from.

* More Autonomous Laundry by TwoFootMama at SimAsylum

Sims will be more likely to automatically Do Laundry.

* Auto Gardening by Werismyki at ModTheSims

Sims will be more or less likely to automatically Tend Garden, including Harvesting of plants. Pick one flavor.

* No Play Sprinkler by Deceaseddoll at ModTheSims  I recommend it!

Sims will or will not choose to Play in the Sprinkler during game play. There is a version for Sim Pets. Use one or both.

* Auto Pay Bills by Werismyki at ModTheSims

Sims will automatically pay bills before the One Day Left warning. Different flavors for more or less expensive bills.

* Auto Flush Toilets by Werismyki at ModTheSims

Sims will automatically Flush Toilet every time after Using the toilet. Pick one flavor.

Phonix by ChaosMageX at ModTheSims

Adds menu-based choices for custom Sim interactions whenever a Sim is talking on a telephone.

* No Auto Smartphone Tasks by Werismyki at ModTheSims  I recommend it!

Sims will not use their Smartphone during idle time. You can still tell them to use it. Also includes a no auto-answer-phone flavor.

More Autonomous Pranking by Twofootmama at SymsAsylum

Sims will be more or less likely to set up a Prank situation for another sim during game play. Can affect adults. Pick one flavor.

No Stir Crazy/Stir Crazy after 7 Days by JustAnotherSimsFan at ModTheSims

Turns off or slows down the Stir Crazy moodlet and its effects on a Sim. Pick one flavor.

Interactions: Timers and automators for Live Mode Sim tasks. Custmoize Live Mode Sim tasks.

* Dresscode Sign by Consort at ModTheSims  I recommend it!

Puts an orange Pool Sign in the Pictures and Paintings section of Buy Mode. In Live Mode after it is placed on a wall it will  automatically change Sims to an outfit you specify every time they enter the room where the sign is hung (no whirl-around animation). Place sign on lot, then in Live Mode click on it to set.

* More Likely to Watch Instruments by Twofootmama at SymsAsylum

Sims will be more or less likely to drop what they are doing and listen to another nearby sim play an instrument. Pick one flavor.

Poses: How to get a Sim to stand still in a pose during game play until you release him

* Pose Player by Cmomoney at ModTheSims  I recommend it!

Puts a clapper board object in Miscellaneous Objects in Buy Mode. In Live Mode after it is placed anywhere on a lot it will add menu interactions to each sim on the lot allowing for custom poses. Works with any sim on the lot it is placed on. You must download poses separately. Many pose downloads specifiy that this Pose Player is required to use the poses.

 Objects Be Good Mods

More Space in Hampers by Gobot101 at ModTheSims

Hampers take longer or shorter times to be full, resulting in more or less laundry for Sims to do. Pick a flavor.

* Slower Food Spoil Times in Fridge/Counters by Werismyki at ModTheSims

Food will take more time to Spoil when in the fridge or on the counter giving sims a longer opportunity to use it. Pick a flavor.

Resources 

How to Install Mods in your Game

Sites with Well-Designed Mods

ModTheSims: Membership (free) required.

NRAAS Industries: No membership required.

SimsAsylum: Membership (free) required. 

Simlogical: Membership (free) required.

Sites with Links to Poses

MySims3Poses: No Membership required. This site contains links to other sites, which actually contain the poses.