Current:Home > FinanceKevin McCallister’s grocery haul in 1990 'Home Alone' was $20. See what it would cost now. -FinTechWorld
Kevin McCallister’s grocery haul in 1990 'Home Alone' was $20. See what it would cost now.
View
Date:2025-04-15 07:20:49
"Home Alone" fans are reminiscing about lower grocery bills after a TikTok video pointed out how much Kevin McCallister spent on his solo shopping trip in 1990 versus what it would cost today.
The film follows the antics of the young boy, played by Macaulay Culkin, as he is accidentally left behind by his parents who jet off to Paris for Christmas.
As the fictional 8-year old is left to fend for himself, he makes a trip to the local grocery store to pick up some food, toiletries and household necessities.
His bill comes out to about $20. One TikToker estimated that Culkin would spend close to $70 on the same grocery haul if the goods were purchased this year from Target, an increase of 250%.
We did our own calculations. Here is what we found.
Protect your assets: Best high-yield savings accounts of 2023
Groceries from 1990 versus 2023
In the film, Kevin buys his groceries at the family-owned supermarket called Rockford Schnucks, located in Illinois.
He picks up a half-gallon of milk, half-gallon of orange juice, TV dinner, a loaf of Wonderbread, frozen mac and cheese, liquid detergent, saran wrap, a bag of toy soldiers, Snuggle dryer sheets and toilet paper. McCallister uses a dollar off coupon for a grand total of $19.83.
According to the Schnucks grocery store's website, here's how much Kevin's groceries cost today:
- Half a gallon of milk: $1.71
- Half a gallon of OJ: $3.99
- Butternut large white bread: $2.79 (Wonderbread not available)
- TV dinner: $4.49 (Stouffer's classic meatloaf frozen meal)
- Frozen mac and cheese: $1.49
- Tide liquid detergent: $12.99
- Saran wrap: $3.39
- Snuggle dryer sheets: $2.94
- Toilet paper: $7.99
- Toy soldiers (not available so Amazon price listed): $9.99
Kevin would have spent a grand total of $54.94 (with Illinois sales tax) in 2023 or $53.94 with his dollar off coupon.
Here's what government data shows on how grocery prices have changed:
Milk
- Average price in November 1990: $1.34 per half gallon of fresh, low fat milk, according to Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.
- Average price in November 2023: $4.85, per half gallon organic reduced fat 2% milk, according to USDA.
Bread
- Average price of white bread (per pound): .70 cents in 1990, according to the St. Louis FED.
- Average price of white bread (per pound): 1.70 cents in 2022.
What to know about 'Home Alone':From filming locations to Macaulay Culkin's age
How has inflation changed since 1990?
Inflation is a generalized rise in prices. It can occur across the board in an economy, or it could affect individual products or services, such as gas, rent and groceries.
$1 in 1990 has the same purchasing power as $2.30 today. Over the past 33 years, this is a change of $1.30. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' inflation calculator, $19.83 in December 1990 has the same buying power as $45.62 in October of 2023 − the most recent CPI data available for this year.
From 2021 to 2022, U.S. retail food prices rose by 11% − the largest annual increase in over 40 years, according to the Government Accountability Office. While average inflation was increasing in 1990 at 5.4%, it was not nearly as high as 8% last year.
veryGood! (1781)
Related
- Romantasy reigns on spicy BookTok: Recommendations from the internet’s favorite genre
- Arizona's abortion ban likely to cause people to travel for services in states where it's still legal
- Maren Morris and Karina Argow bring garden friends to life in new children's book, Addie Ant Goes on an Adventure
- Golden Bachelor's Gerry Turner Officially Files for Divorce From Theresa Nist
- Meet first time Grammy nominee Charley Crockett
- Biden campaign launching 7-figure ad buy on abortion in Arizona
- How immigrant workers in US have helped boost job growth and stave off a recession
- Teaching refugee women to drive goes farther than their destination
- Trump suggestion that Egypt, Jordan absorb Palestinians from Gaza draws rejections, confusion
- 'Elite' star Danna on making 'peace' with early fame, why she quit acting for music
Ranking
- Selena Gomez engaged to Benny Blanco after 1 year together: 'Forever begins now'
- Allen Iverson immortalized with sculpture alongside 76ers greats Julius Erving and Wilt Chamberlain
- DeSantis bans local governments from protecting workers from heat and limits police oversight boards
- Celebrating O.J. Simpson's football feats remains a delicate balance for his former teams
- In ‘Nickel Boys,’ striving for a new way to see
- Kansas City Chiefs WR Rashee Rice surrenders to police, released on bond
- Arizona Supreme Court's abortion ruling sparks fear, uncertainty
- I'm an adult and I just read the 'Harry Potter' series. Why it's not just for kids.
Recommendation
Mets have visions of grandeur, and a dynasty, with Juan Soto as major catalyst
Explore the professional education and innovative practices of Lonton Wealth Management Center
LONTON Wealth Management’s global reach and professional services
What Really Led to Golden Bachelor's Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist's Whirlwind Breakup
Bodycam footage shows high
Mike Johnson meeting with Trump at Mar-a-Lago amid threat to speakership
How long do sea turtles live? Get to know the lifespan of the marine reptile.
Get an Extra 50% off GAP’s Best Basics Just in Time for Spring, With Deals Starting at $10