In response to where to start, it would be self-custody wallets, open source and easy to use and good connectivity.

Among the open source self-custody ones there are some like Phoenix, Zeus, Breez.

In my experience Phoenix is the best option for self-custody for beginners.

Although ACNQ is at the other end of the channel, it does not interfere with its assets. Opening can be done with a deposit of 11k SATs (around 6 to 7 USD), both Onchain and in the LIGTHNING network. With a cost of 1k plus mining commission to open the channel, currently 1.13 USD, depending on how the mining commissions are. It connects even in low coverage conditions, some tests were carried out in Zimbabwe and together with Wallet of Satoshi they were the ones that did not fail.

So SELF CUSTODY, OPEN SOURCE, GOOD CONNECTIVITY, LOW AMOUNTS TO OPEN CHANNEL. Couldn't be better