Linus recommends SMD parts kits that are quite expensive, and relatively bulky, I prefer the books of SMD components, they're more compact and ~$15 each and you can buy refills for ~$5.
For things you use a lot of (1k/10k resistors, 1uF/0.1uF caps etc) buy reels, they're surprisingly cheap <$10 from Digikey (if you visit Shenzhen you can pick them up for $2, I bought a complete set years ago for under $100).
I've largely standardised on 0603 parts for hand assembly, I'm older and have older vision, I need a binocular microscope to work - they're worth the investment if you're doing more than a tiny amount of SMD work.
I tend to go for sample books too, if I run out of a value I buy a reel. That way I only have to keep reels of the parts I use most often. For more expensive parts like many ICs I usually try to buy at least as many as the first bulk price discount on Digikey/Mouser/etc. E.g. I tend to use LT3757 switching controllers when I need to make power supplies, so buying 10 of them at $5 each is a much better deal than buying 1 at $7.50 each 10 times!
For things you use a lot of (1k/10k resistors, 1uF/0.1uF caps etc) buy reels, they're surprisingly cheap <$10 from Digikey (if you visit Shenzhen you can pick them up for $2, I bought a complete set years ago for under $100).
I've largely standardised on 0603 parts for hand assembly, I'm older and have older vision, I need a binocular microscope to work - they're worth the investment if you're doing more than a tiny amount of SMD work.
https://www.aliexpress.com/w/wholesale-0608-capacitor-kit.ht...