You're thinking about it the right way. Having a stablecoin like DAI is essential for managing crypto volatility without cashing out to a bank. The good news is, you don't need to do complex swaps. Several platforms offer direct fiat-to-DAI purchases. For a straightforward process, you can check out https://paybis.com/buy-dai/. It lets you buy DAI directly using a card, bank transfer, or e-wallets. As a USD-pegged stablecoin, 1 DAI is designed to equal $1, so you know exactly what you're getting. The page mentions instant transactions and the ability to send your DAI to any external DeFi wallet, which is perfect if you want to use it in lending protocols or as a trading pair later.
