those are all good tips and I've used every one of them!

I was also gonna say using as large a breaker as you can fit usually helps too. I can't tell you how many times I didn't have the right 1/2 drive socket or my breaker bar (or were too lazy to go get it) and muscled on something with a 3/8 ratchet instead, and the end result is usually a snapped bolt, a smashed knuckle, or a rounded off bolt head. Or a broken ratchet, but thats another story...