I have been playing online for a year, very low stakes games.
I feel I am ready to take my game to the "Next" level and see how I measure up in live Games.
My question is in a regular 1/2 game with 6 players

should I buy in for the minimum?
Does it make a difference with how many chips. I sit down with?

And lastly I'm not too familiar with handling Poker chips any tips? So I don't fumble all over the stacks

The first couple of times you go to the casino buy in for the minimum in the lowest stake game they run. When you get comfortable playing buy in for more and eventually consider moving up. Track your winnings over time and make sure you are actually profitable and that you have a big enough bankroll to play in a bigger game.

Handling chips is just practice. Keep your chips organized in stacks. Most players use the size that fit in the racks. After that it's just some practice at making big bets and raking in big pots.

I wouldn’t buy in short personally. Nobody likes a short stack and if you don’t feel comfortable sitting with 100 BB’s then the game is too big for you.

You can a sit for an orbit or two at 50 BB’s with chips in your pocket ready to top off to 100 BB once you’re comfortable, but sitting down with 30 BB’s or something is a waste of everyone’s time and is not going to help you improve at poker.

How many BBS do you buy in for when you play online? Stick with what you’re used to.

Personally I would buy in for the max, but just play tight, close to nit.

I wouldn't open limp, but I'd keep a tight opening range in EP - think 77+, ATs+, AQo+, most suited broadways.
, and only marginally open up in later position. Keep a tight calling range and only 3bet keep JJ+, AKo+.

I'd avoid any bluffiing, apart from a c-bet, and even then be judicious then. When you get a sense of the players, you can throw in some *targetted* semi bluffs.

And don't make hero calls, when they bet/raise big especially on Turn/River; believe them, they have it, and even if they don't you're nowhere near good enough to pick them off their infrequent bluffs profitably.

Once you feel comfortable, you can start to open up a bit, but do it slowly.

BTW The Course, by Ed Miller, is an excellent way to get started.

Buyin for 100bbs (assuming its not rent money, right?).
Stack your chips into 20 or 10. 20x5's is $100 easy peasy. As far as chip tricks, I've been playing for a long time and can't do any. Just don't care about it.

Some things to know.
#1 Follow the action and act in turn. Many new players act out of turn. Don't be that guy.
#2 When action is to you, verbal is binding. If you say call, it's a call. If you say a dollar amount, that's the bet or raise. Dont say things like on top (i.e. the bet is $20 and you say $40 on top. that is annoying. Just say $60).
#3 If you don't do verbal, put your entire bet out in one motion. Dont put one chip then reach back for the rest. It's not allowed. If unsure see #2. It never causes problems.
#4 One chip rule. If you are facing a bet and put out one chip of any denomination and dont say anything, it's a call. Facing a $20 bet and put out a $100 chip. It's a call. Facing a $2 bet and put out a $5 chip its a call. Do not worry about putting exact amount, dealer will make change when action is complete.
#5 When you win a small pot (5-15bbs) you don't need to tip. If you win a 20 bb+ pot tip something. Rule #5 is optional but is standard for most players.
#6 If given the option sit in one of the seats facing the dealer in the middle. You can follow the action more easily.

There should be no shame in buying in short, if that's what you need to get comfortable. I remember my first time playing 1/2 live NL I put $60 on the table and quickly found my KK all in preflop against AA. Then I was able to shrug and rebuy for a slightly larger amount.

If you want to bet or raise, take your time building your bet near your stack and when you push it forward do it in one motion.
I agree with the suggestion to verbalize action so the dealer can correct any mistaken bet sizes.
When you throw in one chip of any size that's typically considered a call unless you are the first aggressor on a betting round.

Regarding fumbling chips.

Roughly 20 years ago, I was beating 25/50 online pretty well. That's limit poker. And cents, not dollars. My neighbor, a degenerate Filipina, heard of this and wanted to stake me at 3/6 at San Manuel. I tried to talk her out of it, as I wasn't sure I could hang at those stakes, especially live. But eventually, we went. I thought everyone would see right through me in this game, sure to be full of pros.

I still remember one guy who wore shades and had a card protector that was some kind of bug trapped in a block of amber, I guess. Like Jurassic Park. It was a new game and the dealer wished us luck and he said he didn't need it. I 100% bought his ridiculous act and was intimidated.

3 basic types at 1/2. 1) People there for fun, who know they're there for fun. 1) Relatively good, serious players who aren't idiots. Both of these will be happy to welcome a new player to the game and won't judge you at all for being a newb, as we all have been new and the game needs new players and they want your money.

3rd type is the guy I mentioned. Some wannabe who probably barely beats 1/2, which is his ceiling as a poker player. He might try to give you grief. But he is a clown who sucks at poker. So who cares?

Tell everyone you're a new player. Apologize in advance for any mistakes. Fumble your chips without concern. This is a recreational activity for most people, so relax and enjoy yourself.

Best advice so far imo.