I've made my own routers for decades: https://battlepenguin.com/tech/installing-void-linux-with-a-serial-terminal/

I also run a de-Googled phone and deleted my FB/Twitter/Insta three years ago. I run uBlock Origin and Ad Away(mobile). I know I'm still tracked and probably on a ton of lists, but I do a lot to reduce my tracking footprint. I probably have at least 30% less tracking data reported than normies.

but I still make tradeoffs. I still use a credit card instead of cash everywhere. It's not about getting totally free, it's about doing what you can.