I usually train people for multiple skills then get the helicopter functional as soon as I can so I can have five super skilled people for the next town. Don't ban the Zombie Cult book, but don't let the writer build a church. Get as many farms and food storage as you can before you start recruiting in full force so your supply goes up instead of down each day. I usually get so rich that I can gamble multiple times in a sitting and after awhile, the gambler quits and gives you his cat. The cat gives you .5 in everything! Also...let the crazy doctor work in your lab otherwise you lose part of your city when somebody bombs it.