Current:Home > MyKevin McCallister’s grocery haul in 1990 'Home Alone' was $20. See what it would cost now. -Wealth Harmony Labs
Kevin McCallister’s grocery haul in 1990 'Home Alone' was $20. See what it would cost now.
View
Date:2025-04-15 06:04:29
"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! (91)
Related
- In ‘Nickel Boys,’ striving for a new way to see
- See JoJo Siwa Like Never Before in Intense Punching Match With Olympian Erin Jackson
- Palestinians scramble to find food, safety and water as Israeli ground invasion looms
- An Arab paramedic who treated Israelis injured by Hamas militants is remembered as a hero
- Former longtime South Carolina congressman John Spratt dies at 82
- A Frequent Culprit, China Is Also an Easy Scapegoat
- North Side High School's mariachi program honors its Hispanic roots through music
- 'Netflix houses', where fans can immerse themselves in their favorite shows, will open in US by 2025
- B.A. Parker is learning the banjo
- David Brooks on his mission: To counter our nation's spiritual crisis
Ranking
- Taylor Swift makes surprise visit to Kansas City children’s hospital
- Noted Iranian film director and his wife found stabbed to death in their home, state media report
- Horoscopes Today, October 14, 2023
- Under busy Florida street, a 19th-century boat discovered where once was water
- IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power
- Stock market today: Asian shares sink as investors brace for Israeli invasion of Gaza
- Slavery reparations in Amherst Massachusetts could include funding for youth programs and housing
- Watchdog Finds a US Chemical Plant Isn’t Reporting Emissions of Climate Super-Pollutants and Ozone-Depleting Substances to Federal Regulators
Recommendation
EU countries double down on a halt to Syrian asylum claims but will not yet send people back
5 Things podcast: Should the Sackler family face accountability for the opioid crisis?
Afghanistan earthquake relief efforts provided with $12 million in U.S. aid
Russian governor has been reported to police after saying there’s ‘no need’ for the war in Ukraine
McConnell absent from Senate on Thursday as he recovers from fall in Capitol
Kate Spade 24-Hour Flash Deal: Get This $300 Large Tote Bag for Just $75
Taylor Swift cheers on Travis Kelce again as Eras Tour movie debuts
UN will repatriate 9 South African peacekeepers in Congo accused of sexual assault