Nothing has happened about the careers, and that I can live with. The townie sims seem to have enough money to live on.
Something happened in my game, that seems to have worked. Maybe this could help other people facing the same problem as me. Using edit town, I moved one of the female sims back into my house, then moved in a single male sim who didn't seem to have much a of a life either. Had them marry and try for a baby. After the chime, I had them move back out normally, and chose a nice house for them, not using the kick out option. I waited a little while, and they had a baby. A little girl, who is just adorable. I left them alone, and now the couple has a son as well.
I haven't checked on any other sims around town, but something seems to be working. I will be trying this with the other female sim, to see if it is a fluke or not.