Couple questions-need advising

Ive trying to nail down a few things. First, im broke. So very sadly broke. I only mention this because its a factor in my decisions.

I would like to run a node. For all the various reasons, one of which is to get a better understanding of the underpinnings of how BTC functions. Hearing and reading is only taking me so far. It would also be nice to verify transactions.

Can i do this with just any machine with enough memory? Will a raspberry pi work or an old phone or old laptop? I understand theres a pruned down version, so is it necessary to have the whole history or just from the day you start and what gets loaded then?

Next, cause im broke, i would like to mine. I am stacking but my years are most likely less than the average weekly dca. I obviously cant afford a rig but i can scrape couch change or sell plasma to get a bitaxe. Yes i know thats like winning lotto, but i could also make a few pennies if i join a pool. Plus, again, ill be learning. Very important.

Lastly, my sidehustle ive been getting paid in paypal. I really want to keep hodling but i also realize that its important to me, and some of us i imagine, to get the circular economy going and growing. I understand companies like zaprite are meant for businesses to facilitate exchange and conversion and accounting. Im not sure this is something i need. Ive got analysis paralysis when it comes to hot wallets and was just gonna pick one and wing it to get my feet wet. Ive had proton mail for a few years and when i heard they are about to release a wallet as well as a bunch of other useful tools i was excited for that. So my second question is, for a simple side gig wouldnt just accepting BTC with a wallet be sufficient? Or is there a smarter, safer, better way? Also, am i being short sighted not accepting other crypto which will be a pain cause then ill need to run it thru an exchange to convert to BTC. Maybe thats a bad idea. Or what about lightning? Thats cheaper to transact and would that be easier to use as a payment from and to others? See it all starts to overwhelm and I get undecided and just put it off. Im so tired of not doing this i cant stand it and have decided to ask for advice.

Any thoughts, preferences, advice, personal experience, horror stories will be appreciated. Even if you think its not what i wanna hear. I can still proceed with my idiot plan, but at least im moving forward armed with some knowledge. Which is something i currently lack and again all these things will be experience. Hopefully good but if its bad its probably gonna be a lesson very well learned. So help me out if you have any knowledge to share. Thanks in advance.