Craft Edge

I am needing help from an expert please. I have a document that has LOTS of text. Font is distressed. I need to find the BEST WAY (s) possible to keep the 'outside' of this font and reduce cutting as much as possible. I've tried combinations of UNION and SIMPLIFY etc. I'm not sure if I'm doing the ABSOLUTE best to reduce the amount of nodes/cutting. I do NOT need any 'inside' pieces of this font, I can use just the outside but am lost and have a deadline. Thank you so much,

Attaching image.

cindi