It depends on where you live, but the best way to get started is to rope a couple of friends into getting together regularly to try new things. This does three things:

1. It lets you up your budget and sometimes try new things you wouldn't always buy on your own,
2. Helps you learn more & faster,
3. and share the good times!

A great example of this was in 2010, when I worked in London, I was approached by two guys who asked me  to host whisky a tasting.  They had built up enough interest within their joint social network to get 15 people together. One of the local pub landlords had given them a room for free on the condition they got a couple of drinks from the bar.

They set the budget at £15 per head and I source the whisky accordingly. They still do tasting, but under the banner of the Whisky Squad and I try to actively attend as they do some great sessions, but it's first come, first served on tickets.

You don't need to do it this big, but the principle stands.

Last updated on May 15, 2011 by Darren