Proper Buyin For Ring?

Hey guys, I tried a search for this but couldn't find much. I play 6-handed .5/1 NL and my question is if I should buy in for the max ($100) everytime. What are the pros and cons of buying in for the the max or playing a shortstack in a cash game?

Basically, how comfortable you are on the turn and the river. Buying in short removes the betting from those later streets and thereby saves you from being outplayed.

Personally, I never really found it useful. Although, when I went up from 25NL to 50NL, I bought in for $30 for my first 20 sessions or so until I got used to the bet size and the kind of players. Now that I've adjusted, I always buy-in for the full amount simply because there are so many people out there with full stacks who like giving money away and I'd rather double up $50 than $30.