Current:Home > InvestKevin McCallister’s grocery haul in 1990 'Home Alone' was $20. See what it would cost now. -Ascend Wealth Education
Kevin McCallister’s grocery haul in 1990 'Home Alone' was $20. See what it would cost now.
View
Date:2025-04-14 01:43:12
"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! (24)
Related
- John Galliano out at Maison Margiela, capping year of fashion designer musical chairs
- Doja Cat Reacts to Mass of Fans Unfollowing Her
- 'Barbie' takes another blow with ban in Algeria 1 month after release
- Madonna announces rescheduled Celebration Tour dates after hospital stay in ICU
- Bodycam footage shows high
- It's taking Americans much longer in life to buy their first home
- Body of strangled 11-year-old Texas girl found hidden under bed after sex assault, police say
- Mom drowns while trying to save her 10-year-old son at Franconia Falls in New Hampshire
- 'We're reborn!' Gazans express joy at returning home to north
- MBA 6: Operations and 25,000 roses
Ranking
- 'Survivor' 47 finale, part one recap: 2 players were sent home. Who's left in the game?
- You've never seen anything like these immersive theater shows, from 'Here Lies Love' to 'Gatsby'
- Amid record-breaking heat, Arizona wildlife relies on trucked-in water to survive summer
- Huge explosion at gas station kills at least 35 in Dagestan in far southwestern Russia
- San Francisco names street for Associated Press photographer who captured the iconic Iwo Jima photo
- The Blind Side's Quinton Aaron Defends Sandra Bullock From Critics Amid Michael Oher-Tuohy Lawsuit
- Lauren London Pens Moving Message to Late Partner Nipsey Hussle on His Birthday
- Hospitals sued thousands of patients in North Carolina for unpaid bills, report finds
Recommendation
California DMV apologizes for license plate that some say mocks Oct. 7 attack on Israel
You've never seen anything like these immersive theater shows, from 'Here Lies Love' to 'Gatsby'
'I was crying hysterically': Maui residents search for missing pets after deadly fires
Juvenile detained in North Carolina shooting death of 8-year-old girl
Apple iOS 18.2: What to know about top features, including Genmoji, AI updates
Sixth person dies from injuries suffered in Pennsylvania house explosion
It's taking Americans much longer in life to buy their first home
Fall out from Alex Murdaugh saga continues, as friend is sentenced in financial schemes