5 of My Favorite Kirkland Products at Costco -- and Why They Might Become Your Favorites, Too

If you've ever wandered through Costco before, you've probably noticed the Kirkland label on a host of products. Kirkland is Costco's signature brand, and you'll find it on everything from cleaning supplies to paper products to baked goods.

As a frequent Costco shopper, there are certain Kirkland products I've really come to love. Here are some of my favorites -- and why you might like them, too.

1. Kirkland Signature Cashew Clusters

When I'm sitting down to read a book at the end of a long, tiring day, I might stuff my face with anything from cookies to chocolate to ice cream (if there's any lurking in my freezer). But during my workday, when my stomach gets rumbly, I need a snack that's tasty but not overly loaded with sugar so I don't risk that inevitable crash.

These Kirkland Signature Cashew Clusters do the trick. They're sweet, but not too sweet, and they've got a nice amount of protein when you need a little jolt of energy.

Now I will say that from a crunch perspective, these aren't for the faint of heart. If you've had recent dental work, these aren't going to be a good bet. Otherwise, you may want to give them a try.

2. Kirkland Signature Sweet Heat Snack Mix

Just as the cashew clusters above make a great mid-day snack for me, so too does this Kirkland Signature Sweet Heat Snack Mix. It contains a mix of nuts and sesame sticks, and it's sweet with a kick.

This could be a great product to pack for long hikes or car trips. If you're someone who tends to need fuel before or after a workout, it could be a good pick as well.

3. Kirkland Signature Creamy Almond Butter

The first time I tried almond butter, I admittedly wasn't a fan. I sort of saw it at peanut butter's less tasty, but perhaps slightly more nutritious cousin.

But I guess tastes change, because these days, I'm all about the almond butter. And I'm definitely a fan of the Kirkland version. I find it to be smooth, creamy (not as creamy as creamy peanut butter, but we can't have it all), and just plain tasty.

And the price happens to be outstanding, too. Online, you'll pay the equivalent of $0.30 per ounce, and Costco's prices are almost always cheaper in stores. By contrast, I'm looking at paying $0.49 per ounce at my local grocery store.

4. Kirkland Signature Wild Flower Honey

Some people will argue that all honey has the same taste. I'm here to say that that's not true, at least not in my experience. And I happen to really like the taste of Costco's Kirkland Signature Wild Flower Honey, which I put in everything from tea to baked goods to sauces for meats and fish.

I also happen to be a fan of the price. Online, you're looking at $0.23 per ounce, and if you buy your Kirkland honey at a Costco store, you're likely to pay even less. At my local supermarket, honey is $0.47 an ounce right now.

5. Kirkland gas

Okay, so this is one of those situations where my love for a Kirkland product is based solely on its price, since I can't pretend to know the difference between one type of gasoline versus another. But in my area, there's lots of savings to be reaped by filling up your car at Costco and buying Kirkland gas instead of filling up at a non-Costco station.

The only thing that does bum me out a little about Kirkland gas is that it's not eligible for cash back as part of my Executive membership. Given how often I fill up, that would be a sweet perk. But still, the savings I reap on Costco gas work wonders for my budget.

These are only five of many products you'll find with the Kirkland name. It pays to give Kirkland products a try because Costco really does stand behind the items it sells -- especially the ones with its signature brand's name. So if there's ever a quality issue, you can rest assured that Costco will make it right. That makes trying Kirkland products a pretty low-risk proposition. And you may find that some of the products above fill a need of yours, while saving you money at the same time.