'... since I'm a novice in all this ..."

Well, @lavidaesuna, you have come to a good place to learn! Be encouraged, as we all started in the same place. Knowing very little and gradually adding slowly to our knowledge a bit at a time.

If you wish, you can join the Saturday Savers club. You might enjoy the weekly opportunity to learn and earn.

"Because of how fast inflation is, sometimes I think it's better to spend the money."

Or perhaps consider what some do, in your situation. Keep your money in a stable form of crypto and only exchange it when you need to spend it. For example, HBD is algorithmically pegged 1:1 to the U. S. dollar.