Scout edges first for food upgrades and materials.
Potions
Upgrade food before going interior to mark crypts.
Put portals on crypts to get back fast.
Set up a processing facility close by to many crypts for ease of transport.

Scouting is probably the key thing... only go during the day.
I only do overnight stuff once I am in a crypt and digging out iron to run out in the morning. You are pretty safe inside a crypt at night.
Put a fire down inside a crypt entrance to get rested bonus and quick health regen.

Edit add - running around willy nilly can get you into a bad spot very fast. Go slow, clear spawners from a distance. Use hoe to level ground if you find a good swamp and want to make it easier to get to crypts.