My piece of advice it to learn the utility of paths and masks. Sometimes I use the Selection to Path tool to keep handy a non-editable reference on borders and specific areas. You can always go back take this path and get a selection of the same area in one click. Masks sometimes help if they are a straight black and white and no gradients because you can easily select the opaque or transparent areas with the wand tool. Out of both tools I prefer having paths though, not as easy to edit and mess yourself up...