You only need one private channel. Nothing to manage. StartOS is free. Run on $200 worth of mini PC and SDD. 100% doable for the average pleb if you can read and follow instructions.
I just zapped you from mine and I'm a retard.
I’ve done it in the past. It’s overkill for zaps in the low amounts we send and receive here. I have no other use for an always-on lightning node.
Paying for gift cards and such is purty nice. Also looping in and out dirty on-chain sats.
That’s all possible with other self custodial wallet apps that don’t require running a LN node with constant internet access.