Current:Home > MyKevin McCallister’s grocery haul in 1990 'Home Alone' was $20. See what it would cost now. -TradeSphere
Kevin McCallister’s grocery haul in 1990 'Home Alone' was $20. See what it would cost now.
View
Date:2025-04-16 01:48:57
"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! (2)
prev:'Most Whopper
next:Trump's 'stop
Related
- Moving abroad can be expensive: These 5 countries will 'pay' you to move there
- TikTok Dads Terrell and Jarius Joseph Want to Remind You Families Come in All Shapes and Sizes
- Olympic gold medal wrestler Gable Steveson signing with Buffalo Bills
- US gymnastics championships highlights: Simone Biles cruising toward another national title
- Charges tied to China weigh on GM in Q4, but profit and revenue top expectations
- Don't take Simone Biles' greatness for granted. We must appreciate what she's (still) doing.
- Former tech exec admits to fraud involving a scheme to boost Getty Images shares, authorities say
- Watch Live: Explosive Iceland volcano eruption shoots lava across roads and sends pollution toward the capital
- Sonya Massey's father decries possible release of former deputy charged with her death
- Retired 4-star Navy admiral allegedly awarded government contract in exchange for job
Ranking
- Mets have visions of grandeur, and a dynasty, with Juan Soto as major catalyst
- Pregnant Mandy Moore Debuts Baby Bump With Purr-fect Maternity Style
- Christopher Gregor, known as treadmill dad, found guilty in 6-year-old son's death
- Jennifer Lopez cancels 2024 tour This Is Me: 'Completely heartsick and devastated'
- Skins Game to make return to Thanksgiving week with a modern look
- US gymnastics championships highlights: Simone Biles cruising toward another national title
- What was Trump convicted of? Details on the 34 counts and his guilty verdict
- Former General Hospital star Johnny Wactor shot and killed in downtown LA, family says
Recommendation
Newly elected West Virginia lawmaker arrested and accused of making terroristic threats
Taylor Momsen Shares Terrifying Moment She Was Bitten by Bat During Concert
Alleged 'serial slingshot shooter' dies a day after bonding out of California jail
Iowa attorney general will resume emergency contraception funding for rape victims
Toyota to invest $922 million to build a new paint facility at its Kentucky complex
Swimmer Katie Ledecky on athlete doping scandals: I think our faith in some of the systems is at an all-time low
Whoopi Goldberg makes rare Friday appearance on 'The View' for Donald Trump guilty verdict
Massachusetts teacher on leave after holding mock slave auction and using racial slur, official says