CAA: Christian Anime Alliance

I always want to try out a series that hasn't aired on TV yet, but I don't want to waste my money. Since many series have a manga, is reading the manga first usually a good way to get acquainted?

I would say so. Almost always, the manga is much more indepth and interesting than the tv series. With maybe one exception, I have enjoyed the mangas infinitely more than the tv series. The manga is where they won't pull punches about content--if a mangaka is violent or fanservicey, you'll know soon enough.

My best suggestion is to read reviews--LOTS of them. Lots and lots of them; get a feel for the mangaka and what to expect from them. You may risk some spoilers but what is more important: your spiritual health and satisfaction or a suprise?

I think it helps to know how the title was first created. Some titles were created as an anime first and then, were adapted into a manga (i.e. Cowboy Bebop). I generally check out what was created first since like Ash says, the original goes more in-depth and tend to be more interesting (no fillers!). But most anime titles are spawned from manga so I tend to check out the manga first.

But I'm glad that I checked out the sCRYed anime before the manga.

I'd say that depends on what you want to know. Often the manga will have more objectionable content. In some series, the anime has a very different plot, and at times atmosphere, than the manga. But if you just want to know a series' style, general plot and theme, a manga could be a good indicator.