How can I avoid beating Fallout: New Vegas early?

Don't worry about ending the game early. There is a helpful safe warning before the final sequence of the game, no matter whom you side with. It will pop in the same text box style as when it asks you if would like hardcore mode. It will ask you something along the lines of "Are you sure you wish to pledge allegiance to this faction.....blah blah blah..... there's no going back after this. Then you can say something like "Yes, lets go" or "No, i'm not ready." P.S. There are TONS of side quests. So many more than Fallout 3, just go out and explore and talk to some people. It's a wasteland after all, pretty much everyone has a problem.