Aldi is the cheapest place for me to get groceries. These 13 products make it easy to stick to my budget.

• Aldi has one of the best grocery selections at a fraction of the price of other stores.
• It's where I get most of my staples, including bread, when I'm on a budget.
• But the chain also has some great generic dupes, beverages, and snacks to pick up.

Aldi's quality products and inexpensive pricing make it one of the best places to shop for food .

It's easily the cheapest chain near me, and it's one of the fastest - growing grocery stores in the US.

Here are my favorite Aldi products that help me stick to my budget.

The Elevation energy bars are a great grab-and-go option.

If you like Clif Bar, Aldi's Elevation brand carries similar, dense energy bars with 9 grams of protein and 4 grams of fiber.

Each box of six bars costs $5.85, bringing the price per bar down to less than $1.

Aldi has the best deals on basic cereal.

I was a big fan of Life growing up, and Millville's Balance multigrain cereal tastes very similar.

It comes in two flavors (regular and cinnamon) for $2.15 a box.

Aldi's lobster-roll dip is a great end-of-summer treat.

I like to grab a tub of Aldi's lobster-roll dip to have a decadent and fun snack to whip out at parties.

It's the perfect spread for toast and sandwiches, and I also use it as a dip for veggies and crackers .

Each 12-ounce tub is $3.80.

I can get fancy Brie on a budget at Aldi.

Brie is such a great cheese to have on hand. And for just $4, Aldi's prices beat many other fancy wheels.

The creamy cheese pairs well with so many different produce and snacking options. I also love baking it in the oven with jam or jalapeño spread and wrapped in crescent dough .

Kirkwood ground turkey is super affordable.

If you want to incorporate more lean protein into your diet, Kirkwood's frozen ground turkey costs just $2.90.

I fry up the affordable meat for meatloaf, pasta dishes, stuffed peppers , and more.

Aldi stocks a variety of salad kits.

My favorite Little Salad Bar kit from Aldi is the Asian-inspired chopped salad .

It combines fresh greens, cabbage, sesame dressing, wonton strips, and sliced almonds. There are also bags with and without sliced chicken and mandarin oranges to make it more filling.

The simple kits are $3.

Mama Cozzi’s calzones are a go-to when I'm short on time.

I like to keep easy options on hand that don't require prep. Mama Cozzi's calzones are a great, quick-heat meal for just $2.40.

They're available in four varieties: four cheese, pepperoni, Philly cheesesteak , and Buffalo chicken.

Nature’s Nectar aloe-vera drink usually makes it into my cart.

Nature's Nectar's aloe-vera drink is a refreshing beverage I can almost always find at Aldi.

It comes in subtle flavors (my favorite is mango) and has jelly-like slices of aloe floating in it.

The best part is that the bottles are $1.

Clancy’s restaurant-style tortilla chips are huge.

Clancy's makes some phenomenal restaurant-style tortilla chips that are sturdy enough to hold any dip.

They somehow taste homemade, and for $2 a bag, they're pretty phenomenal.

Chef’s Cupboard Hawaiian stuffing mix is a fun twist on the classic dish.

When Aldi stocks the Chef's Cupboard Hawaiian stuffing mix, I always scoop it up.

It takes the classic holiday dish and gives it a light twist, with Hawaiian bread and a subtle pineapple flavor.

Each 6-ounce box is only $1.45.

Happy Farms' strawberry cream cheese is delicious.

If you like a good bagel with schmear in the morning, Aldi carries whipped cream-cheese spreads that rival name brands on the market.

Each tub costs $2, and my favorite year-round flavor is strawberry.

L’oven Fresh's honey-wheat bread is a staple.

I've turned to Aldi for most of my grocery staples, including bread.

L'oven Fresh's honey-wheat loaf is my favorite for sandwiches and costs just $1.85.

Benton’s peanut-butter fudge cookies are a delicious treat.

If you're a fan of Tagalong/Peanut Butter Patties Girl Scout cookies , Benton's cheaper alternative might just be up your alley.

The peanut-butter fudge cookies are just $1.60 a box.

Click to keep reading Aldi diaries like this one .

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