I used to have Master test kit and would test my water often and be all anal, but after a while you don't really need it. Most fish are very adaptable and if stored for any time with a transhipper in your region, will adapt to local conditions very well. Plants are the same.
Algae appearing is an early sign of ammonia build up, before it is even toxic to fish, so there is an indicator there to do a water change. Plants like to consume Nitrates, so it'll never build up to toxic levels. As long as you are good with water changes, you won't have many problems. I've done 75% waterchanges and have never lost a fish to pH "shock" or anything like that. I've lost fish to wide temperature fluctuations, but my heater broke way back and I almost baked my fish. Even then, it was only a few fish. Now that I don't use heaters anymore, problem solved. My home will dip to the mid 60s in the Winter, but the fish reallly don't care much. If it were me, I'd just get your tap water report from your local water company for your area. The pH will change from your tapwater to your tank. The dechlorination alters the pH. Get a cheap pH test if you want, they usually are no good after a year, give or take anyway, if you do decide to get one, so don't spend too much.
