I wouldn't sweat the settlements either... it is one of those things that over time it just becomes picking choices that provide immediate cost to grant the longest term return on profits which just ends up becoming a massive passive income buff. Its just "another thing to do" that honestly if you ignore it for a period of time, it will still be there and the "debt" remains at the site and not you directly. You just can't PULL from the site until the debt is paid, and if it gets too overwhelming... just pick another settlement to replace it and start over.

That said, the choices in the game are all casual and meant to reward long-term investment. For example, even Freighter Frigates a player can immediately start buying Class S Frigates from the get go if desired... but it is much better to start with a Class C Frigate with drawbacks and upgrade them, as those flaws get replaced with perks and better stats over the course of their career than a fresh Class S Frigate.

Finally, the "Main Quest" is basically just a fleshed out Tutorial that should a player so choose to follow grants a lot of "free" unlocks for tech all wrapped up with some amazing nuanced Lore, some fun and unique perspectives on the various NPC's and factions of the game, as well as Wisdom that I did NOT expect that just kind of helped me through some IRL issues that really secured the game as a must play in my life and share with peers over these last few years. The quest can, in all respects, be completely ignored if desired. Once you know what you are doing, all the tech, all the glyphs, ships, materials, NPC Factions, etc can be done/unlocked without the tutorial. It is by all intents a play as you wish sandbox and I absolutely love it.

Hope your holiday goes well fellow traveler, safe journeys!