Current:Home > NewsKevin McCallister’s grocery haul in 1990 'Home Alone' was $20. See what it would cost now. -FundGuru
Kevin McCallister’s grocery haul in 1990 'Home Alone' was $20. See what it would cost now.
View
Date:2025-04-19 07:05:37
"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! (9)
Related
- Newly elected West Virginia lawmaker arrested and accused of making terroristic threats
- Large fire burns 2nd residential construction site in 3 days in Denver suburb
- Pro Picks: Josh Allen and the Bills will slow down Dallas and edge the Cowboys in a shootout
- Lawyers for Idaho murders suspect Bryan Kohberger visit crime scene ahead of planned demolition
- Friday the 13th luck? 13 past Mega Millions jackpot wins in December. See top 10 lottery prizes
- The leaders of Italy, the UK and Albania meet in Rome to hold talks on migration
- Tyreek Hill won't suit up for Dolphins' AFC East clash against Jets
- Zara pulls ad campaign that critics said resembled Gaza destruction
- 2 killed, 3 injured in shooting at makeshift club in Houston
- A review defends police action before the Maine mass shooting. Legal experts say questions persist
Ranking
- Federal appeals court upholds $14.25 million fine against Exxon for pollution in Texas
- Apple settles Family Sharing plan lawsuit for $25 million. See if you're eligible for payout
- Watch this 10-year-old get the best Christmas surprise from his military brother at school
- How to watch 'Born in Synanon,' the docuseries about a cult led by Charles 'Chuck' Dederich
- Who's hosting 'Saturday Night Live' tonight? Musical guest, how to watch Dec. 14 episode
- The FDA is investigating whether lead in applesauce pouches was deliberately added
- Texans' CJ Stroud to miss Sunday's game vs. Titans because of concussion
- Kuwait’s ruling emir, Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Sabah, dies at age 86
Recommendation
Nevada attorney general revives 2020 fake electors case
Tiger Woods' daughter Sam caddies for him at PNC Championship in Orlando
Activision Blizzard to pay $54 million to settle California state workplace discrimination claims
Quaker Oats recalls granola products because of concerns of salmonella contamination
Krispy Kreme offers a free dozen Grinch green doughnuts: When to get the deal
Britain says a Royal Navy ship has shot down an attack drone over the Red Sea
Japan and ASEAN bolster ties at summit focused on security amid China tensions
Jake Browning shines again for Bengals, rallying them to 27-24 overtime win over Vikings