That's why a meter with cheap strips is good, because especially in the beginning, you're going to test a LOT. Preferably before a meal and 2 hours after the first bite, so if that's 3 meals, 6 tests a day... Unless of course you're eating certain things often (say, scrambled eggs every morning), then you test those a couple of times to see what happens, and you can pretty much trust that, and don't have to test ad infinitum. These days I only test when I feel off, got a steroid or flu jab, or eat/ate somewhere I've never been before. I'm still using strips I ordered almost a year ago, I test so rarely... But that first year, I spent exactly a thousand euro's on strips. In part because I didn't know when to test effectively, at first. I'm headed towards my 4 year diaversary this summer though, and rarely test now.
Should you want to cut costs a little get a meter that's cheap in strips. Rachox wrote a good piece about it.
Here’s some info on UK meters, and to be clear I have no commercial connections with any of the companies mentioned. For a meter with cheap strips go for the Tee2 + found here:
http://spirit-healthcare.co.uk/product/tee2-plus-blood-glucose-meter/ with the strips found here:
http://spirit-healthcare.co.uk/product/tee2-testing-strips/
Some members have got a free Tee2+ by phoning up to order, with a large order of strips they often throw the meter in for free:
Phone number 0800 8815423
With more expensive strips is the Caresens Dual which I currently use, this one has the advantage of glucose and ketone testing in one machine, it’s to be found here:
https://shop.spirit-health.co.uk/collections/caresens-dual
Home Health have recently bought out this one, but I haven’t heard any reviews yet, links to strips and the meter:
https://homehealth-uk.com/all-products/glucose-navii-blood-glucose-test-strips-50-strip-pack/
https://homehealth-uk.com/all-products/gluconavii-blood-sugar-meter-glucose-monitor-starter-kit/
And to be totally transparent I used to use the SD Code Free from Home Health which has the cheapest strips available if bought in quantities of 5 or 10 pots with the codes below. However I found it to be becoming less and less reliable. Here it is for anyone wanting to give it a go, just bear in mind it seems they are replacing it with the Navii, details above.
http://homehealth-uk.com/product-category/blood-glucose/blood-glucose-monitor/
and here for the extra strips
http://homehealth-uk.com/all-products/sd-codefree-test-strips-to-be-used-only-with-the-sd-monitor/
There are discount codes if you buy in bulk.
5 packs 264086
10 packs 975833
Don’t forget to check the box if you have pre diabetes or diabetes so you can buy VAT free. (for all meters and strips)