GalCivWobbie

What I find that helps a lot - especially if you go Tech - is to keep a close eye on how much certain buildings cost you each turn. Not much use in pounding down 3bc/turn factories if your economy can't keep up. Juggle the economy settings between Manufacturing/Social/Science and the main Production one under Tax. It helps. And don't forget to slap down Economy Starbases around your main planets for that oh-so important extra bonus.

Probably mentioned somewhere, but I couldn't get Search to work... and let's be honest: I am lazy. The UN Planets resolution decreed that no Starbases can have more than x-amount of mods. This is enforced when you just send your constructor to it: a window pops up telling you're not allowed to add more when at the max. However, if your constructor is in the same space as the starbase and you select it, tell it to improve the base. Tadah, no sweat and welcome to the upgrade wind