Thanks for the recommend on a good nail polish.
I still like getting a pedicure occasionally, (I do them in between), because they do them better than I can. But I haven't been back since before Covid, yet.
However, I stopped getting manicures years ago. Like you say, first of all, the nail polish (not gel...never got into that), would hardly last the week. And I'm careful...use rubber gloves to do dishes etc. Also, they seldom ever filed my nails as I really liked them or shaped them as well as I do.
I get compliments on my nails often, and I do them myself...usually with a sheer pink, natural, pearl or "Perfect Nails" clear. I file them in a soft, squared off shape, as that looks best with my nail bed shape and hands. Not too long either...midway. I cut them shorter about once a month and refile, then let them grow out again for a few weeks.