Two very simple tricks I use that most people probably don't know. Use minus (-pie) to exclude a
word from the results, and use site: (site:coderanch.com) to limit the search to a specific domain.
There is also a trick that I forget for the moment, I'd have to look it up, but it has to do with numbers in a specific format so you can search for your own social security number or credit card numbers.
I went to try and find this last trick but can't locate it. I know some are asking, "why not just search for your social security number?". Because Google saves all your searches and I don't trust them with my information, that's why. The trick was using a partial number something like 123-45-#### so that Google doesn't get your full number but you can peruse the results for your number.