Not everything is available for a trial run before you decide to buy it, that is why there are movie trailers, book excerpts and free samples.

If you receive a sample it allows to test something that is new or a product that you may not ordinarily buy. If you are putting together a gift basket, you could also use some samples to help fill in some of the space in a basket.

If you are in the doctors office, ask if your doctor has any samples. This may give you an opportunity to save a few dollars especially if this is a newly prescribed medication that you are unsure of trying.

When you go to the grocery store on a weekend, there are often samples to try and test. If you are shopping from a list trying something isn’t always a bad thing because you may decide that you want to purchase the item you sampled later. Or you could try an item and discover that you dislike the sample so much that you are glad you didn’t succumb to the tempting description from the advertisements and commercials and waste your money. (I’m glad I sampled one of those supposedly chocolate-y microwave desserts in the store and discovered that I didn’t like it without spending any money.)

Samples of beverages both alcoholic and non alcoholic can make you aware of new products. I did buy a bottle of wine I had sampled on a trip to Trader Joe’s because the store had a few wines for tasting. Maybe it was luck since wine was already on my list and in the same price range of the one I already had in my cart before I reached the tasting table.

A sample of a perfume or cologne that you like can be added to some inexpensive unscented face cream to make your own scented body cream. 

If used correctly, samples can be a boon and boost for your wallet. Trying before you buy can really give you an idea of whether or not an item suits your needs or tastes.

Can’t get a sample or a trial of something you are interested in? Ask a friend with similar tastes for their opinion.