To not want to waste money on new stuff I might not like?

[GrampieRabbit]

Like, food wise. I don't like instant coffee. I always like the look of these fancy coffee things (ie pumpkin spice), but I hate wasting money on things that I don't like. Same with loads of food/ drink. Bought a really nice looking gin at a food festival, but I'd never had gin before, and thought it was rank in the end. Still drank it, but took me months I'm a bit of a loner, and single, so don't have much opportunity to nick other people's stuff for a taste. But autumns coming, and I want to try all the seasonal stuff, in case it's delicious and I'm missing out

AIBU?

So you don't want to waste money but you do want to try new stuff?

Are you expecting us to guess what you might like?

Nothing ventured nothing gained. Unless money is very tight, of course.

Yes, your being unreasonable. You're going to have to get over one of those things. Frankly, I love a pumpkin spice latte, and anxiously await it's return every September.

you're

Go to local businesses, craft/seasonal fairs etc and ask for a taster/sample. Most are happy to let you or have sample size products you can buy because if you know like it you're more likely to buy than if you're unsure.

Also in regards to posh instant coffee, a lot of the super markets sell single use sachets (like one cup hot chocolate pouch things) of the flavours for 30-50p. Have a look for those to try the new flavours without committing to a £££ jar.

So don't then? What else are you going to do..you could go to every super market every day and nab the free samples they do but that would get tiresome, plus petrol so you wouldn't actually be saving any money.
Or you could just shop lift but that comes with a whole heap of stress.

Well you could always start a thread looking for seasonal recommendations

But even if things come recommended you may still hate them as you'll not like something just because someone else does. Just try things you like the look or sound of.

Well you could always start a thread looking for seasonal recommendations

They'd be good and money is tight, l guess if it wasn't I come across as a tight bastard. I try and have a few quid spare every week for treats, and I love new stuff, but it's really annoying when I don't end up liking the new stuff IYSWIM.

As Podgebod says, nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Saying that, it was a bit daft to buy a whole bottle of gin if you'd never tried gin before. Did they offer a sample?
But generally, it's all part and parcel of trying new stuff. You might love it or it might be rank and you may waste money but you won't waste anymore on it.
I bought a fancy looking yoghurt the other day, vanilla with mango puree I think. It was vile. Won't be buying it again but it hasn't put me off trying other stuff.

I bloody love a pumpkin spice latte but not quite as much as eggnog
Maybe you could list what you want to try and go with a majority MN vote? My colleague is similar but with more normal stuff like she had never tried blueberries or quiche, and was worried about wasting money on it. So she asked me every time I had something that looked interesting

Join bzzagent. You sign up to test products, they send you free samples and you have to give your opinion. I do it, just got some free coffee last week.

I'll join! Eggnogs another one I'm not sure on! Also mulled wine.

I know I shouldn't have bought it without trying. But sometimes I just convince myself that I'll definitely like things, and then I don't. I'm a marketing wet dream, what can I say 🤷🏽‍♀️

I get it, OP. I spent three quid on some of that fancy vegan hemp 'milk' in Waitrose. It was shit.

Christmas markets are great places for tasting stuff - even mulled wine, I would say "sorry but I've never tried it, can I have a tiny bit before I get a glass?"
Most places will do. The one I went to had loads of cheeses, nuts, olives etc. That's when I found I love olives stuffed with garlic!
Deli counters as well, I tried fresh anchovies that way

Cheese! Another example. I bloody love so much cheese. But then sometimes I'll branch out and buy something like Camembert and then just be gutted I did.

I think trying to blag free samples are the way to go. But just signed up for that website and they asked if I liked coffee, I said no think they'rd be follow up questions and that was the end of the survey so doubt they'll be any coffee for me!

OP I want to take you on a shopping trip to sample all the culinary wonders the world has to offer. Be bold...one new experience a week!

That's when I found I love olives stuffed with garlic!

Oh, have you tried the ones stuffed with blue cheese?! Amazing.

Do you want to try new stuff? Or think you should? It's not compulsory to do it because you think you must.

Ooh I haven't but I love blue cheese so would probably like them

OP honestly, ask for samples. You'll do better in places like booths and farmers markets. I never buy cheese without tasting it first. Last year my town had a local market and they had an amazing cheese stall with loads of samples out to try I spent a fortune

Waitrose and dome other supermarkets will give you a sample of cheese from the counter - try a new one each week.