Questions about XML serialization of Class Properties

I am currently teaching myself how to save data through C# in Unity using methods other than PlayerPrefs. I decided to start with XML. I first tried to serialiaze a number of properties within my TimeController class, which inherited from Monobehaviour. I then learned that you cannot serialize classes that inherit from monobehaviour. I then created a separate class to read the properties of the original class (TimeSaveData) that doesn't inherit from monobehaviour. I then learned that you cannot serialize a class that has a public constructor, so I removed the TimeSaveData class' public constructor and assigned the values of the properties manually

I now have the following approach:

 //original class
 public class TimeController : MonoBehaviour 
 {    
     //the properties I want to save
     public int igCurrentTime{get; set;}    
     public int igTotalNumDaysPassed {get; set;}
     public int rwTimeOfSave{get; set;}
     
     public void SaveTimes()
     {
         //read real world time in minutes
         rwTimeOfSave = DateTime.Now.Minute;
         
         //Instance the TimeSaveData class and transfer the values of all properties
         TimeSaveData saveData = new TimeSaveData();
         saveData.igCurrentTime = igCurrentTime;
         saveData.igTotalNumDaysPassed = igTotalNumDaysPassed;
         saveData.rwTimeOfSave = rwTimeOfSave;
         
         //I have a seperate class with a generic method for creating XML save files
         SaveLoad.SaveFile(Path.DirectorySeparatorChar + this.ToString(), saveData);
     }
 }
 
 //Class created as a holder for all the properties I want to serialize
 [XmlRoot]
 public class TimeSaveData
 {
     [XmlElement]
     public int igCurrentTime{get; set;}
     [XmlElement]
     public int igTotalNumDaysPassed {get; set;}
     [XmlElement]
     public int rwTimeOfSave{get; set;}
 }

This seems like a cumbersome way of saving data. Am I approaching XML serialization the wrong way, or is the inability to serialize properties from classes that inherit from Monobehaviour just something that is accepted? If so, are there any better/more efficient methods for me to do what I'm trying to do?

Thanks for any responses in advance.

Matt