Current:Home > StocksKevin McCallister’s grocery haul in 1990 'Home Alone' was $20. See what it would cost now. -ProsperPlan Hub
Kevin McCallister’s grocery haul in 1990 'Home Alone' was $20. See what it would cost now.
View
Date:2025-04-17 19:51:40
"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! (4)
Related
- Can Bill Belichick turn North Carolina into a winner? At 72, he's chasing one last high
- Bobby Witt Jr. 'plays the game at a different speed': Royals phenom makes playoff debut
- Bobby Witt Jr. 'plays the game at a different speed': Royals phenom makes playoff debut
- Jay Leno says 'things are good' 2 years after fire, motorcycle accident in update
- Finally, good retirement news! Southwest pilots' plan is a bright spot, experts say
- Opinion: Pete Rose knew the Baseball Hall of Fame question would surface when he died
- Opinion: Pete Rose knew the Baseball Hall of Fame question would surface when he died
- Selena Gomez Shares Honest Reaction to Her Billionaire Status
- Justice Department, Louisville reach deal after probe prompted by Breonna Taylor killing
- John Amos, 'Good Times' and 'Roots' trailblazer and 'Coming to America' star, dies at 84
Ranking
- Residents worried after ceiling cracks appear following reroofing works at Jalan Tenaga HDB blocks
- Kristin Cavallari Says Custody Arrangement With Ex Jay Cutler Has Changed
- Dad traveled miles on foot through Hurricane Helene's damage to walk daughter down aisle
- MLB wild card predictions: Who will move on? Expert picks, schedule for opening round
- Mets have visions of grandeur, and a dynasty, with Juan Soto as major catalyst
- As SNL turns 50, a look back at the best political sketches and impressions
- A chemical cloud moving around Atlanta’s suburbs prompts a new shelter-in-place alert
- Bowl projections: College football Week 5 brings change to playoff field
Recommendation
IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power
Run to Kate Spade for Crossbodies, the Iconic Matchbox Wallet & Accessories Starting at $62
Walz misleadingly claims to have been in Hong Kong during period tied to Tiananmen Square massacre
Selena Gomez Shares One Piece of Advice She Would Give Her Younger Self
Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
Opinion: Pete Rose knew the Baseball Hall of Fame question would surface when he died
Parents sue school district following wristband protest against transgender girl at soccer game
WNBA playoff games today: What to know about Tuesday's semifinal matchups