I'm trying to learn about electronics as a hobby. Far too often, I'm exploring a hobby (flashlights, photography, etc.) and I run into DIY projects that involve electronics. And I hit a roadblock here because, even though I can buy the parts and wire them together (albeit, crudely) as a diagram depicts, I have no clue what's going on and why certain parts are used. So I've decide to try to learn on my own.
I'm looking for an electronics kit that guides you from the basics using real components (resistors, transistors, etc.) on a breadboard to more advanced topics (ICs), possibly soldering onto a circuit board. I'm not looking for a banana-plug project board. Does anyone have any recommendations? My goal is to be programming PICs or AVRs and integrating them into circuits that I design.
I'd consider buying all the parts separately, but it'll probably cost me hundreds getting parts at my local, overpriced Radio Shack. Not to mention that they will definitely not have most of the parts and no one there would be able to assist me (I've asked a RS store rep about what tripods they have for my camera, which she responded with, "what's that?" And yes, they do have tripods for sale.). Along those lines, where do people get their components at a low cost?
Thanks in advance.