Claudia,
I see Hocks sells the Freestyle lite strips for $28 for 50? How does that compare to the retail price you are used to?
FYI the Maxima meter costs $7 and 50 strips are $16.50. I liked it because I could test a lot and not worry about the cost. I now use the Walmart Relion- its a bit more but available 24/7. FYI- They both test pretty similarly.
You just have to remember, none of them are precision instruments, and when you get 220 then 235, that is basically the same number....
and I would always have a second meter and strips on hand. you can be sure that one day:
the battery will die
it will go into the washing machine in a pocket
it will be dropped one too many times