Stick all your excess loot in a doll, and summon it before trading. Perhaps use a different doll for spare potions and equipment you may want to use later. I don't think I slept at all after the first act (potions or spells were easier), and just kept a bit of food on the characters, in case of emergency, and left some in a barrel in the BF.
The BF quests and dungeons are optional; I skipped them entirely, partly because when the game was first released a few people were complaining that it was too difficult without leveling in the BF.
