I decided to cancel my third playthrough because it was starting to be too much like my second, and do something different.
So I'm only doing main quests, secondary quests that I know affect the ending, and witcher contracts. Anything else, I'm riding past them or just ignoring it. If bandits are in front of me on the road, I fight (and loot), otherwise I ride past. No new villages, no diving for sunken treasure, no rescuing of people in distress. Total focus on my job and quest.
This is a totally different game. I'm permanently short of money, I'm struggling to get the crafting materials I need for any form of upgrade or alchemy item, It's FUN!