1. Disregard unspoken rules, but not the small ones like not donating at the museum, think more rules like "you just can't enter this industry", "you can't just schedule a meeting with that CEO". Those can have an immense ROI, while the petty ones may get you a punch to the face.
2. You should also live in the best place possible for your budget - negotiate down to the last dollar, but not for some shi%%y apartment in some shi%%y ghetto.
3. Rule 3 seems accurate - if you can't do it on your own, take some drugs :-).
4. A few prepared anecdotes is short sighted - you should learn human psychology and the art of social manipulation for the best results.
5. Or get them from the inside - blend in, build up support, then announce your true intentions (aka the dictator way).