Johnboy – I can't tell you how pleased I am for you that you have decided to take a really proactive part in managing your condition. I'm certain you won't regret it.
Now, onto the tools you intend to use.
I can understand your desire to keep your costs to the minimum. No matter how much cash we have, none of us want to spend loads funding smething that we never wanted in the first place. Do start using the spare meter, and if necessary, change the battery. That's going to be just £1 or £2, I'd guess. The two pots of strips will get you started, and as that's 100 strips, it'll give you a short while to plan how you get the biggest bang for your buck.
If you look on Boots website, you will see most strips are around £20 for 50. That's not cheap! There are a few on there cheaper, but watch out, they tend to be smaller pots – 10 or 20, for some reason. Amazon or eBay may have a few cheaper options, but generally, it's marginal. It's important you really do focus on the cost of strips, rather than the “free” meter. Where we spend money regularly is on strips. When you have a meter, you can expect it to last a couple of years, probably. So, focus on the cost of strips.
Of those of us who have to buy our own kit, many choose to buy from this website:
http://www.homehealth-uk.com/medica...or_testing.htm?qerror=&flasher=&nc=1410332365
You will see the the meter costs £11.60 (you have to confirm you have diabetes), which includes 10 strips and a few lancets. That's your one-off cost.
Now the fab news.
Codefree strips are £6.99 for a pot of 50 (so, a third of the price of the Boots options), and if you can manage to buy 5 pots at a time, that works out at £25.99 for 250 strips, or £5.20 a pot. I'm sure you'll agree that's quite an impressive saving.
So, the bang for your buck, is either around £20 in Boots for 50 strips, or £18.59 (£11.60 for a brand new meter and 10 strips, plus £6.99 for an additional 50 strips.).
Make sure you have a good look, and think about the homehealth option before spending in Boots.
Good luck with it John. I am confident you will learn a lot.