What medication are you on, Clairlb? If you are just on Metformin, unfortunately many GPs don't see the necessity to test, and won't prescribe test strips, so people end it funding their own, in which case, the SD Codefree, as Martin said, is the cheapest option. If you are on anything like Gliclazide, which can cause your blood sugar to drop too low, you should be given a meter, and prescribed test strips, so if this is the case, have a word with your surgery, or nurse, whoever you see.