Share your own tips using the framework...
I'll start: Keeping with the conventions is much easier when designing new projects, but if you can't, within your models use the useTable var, EX: $useTable = 'bla'; which will force Cake to use it, regardless of what the model name is...
Another one: Vendors are an easy way to add 3rd party scripting in without having to modify anything and allowing direct calls from within your app. Use them!
Let's hear some more