Current:Home > NewsKevin McCallister’s grocery haul in 1990 'Home Alone' was $20. See what it would cost now. -RiskWatch
Kevin McCallister’s grocery haul in 1990 'Home Alone' was $20. See what it would cost now.
View
Date:2025-04-14 14:25:47
"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! (73)
Related
- IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power
- The Ultimatum's April Marie Is Pregnant, Expecting Baby No. 2 With Cody Cooper
- Powell likely to signal that lower inflation is needed before Fed would cut rates
- The Best Spring Jackets That Are Comfy, Cute, and Literally Go With Everything
- Juan Soto to be introduced by Mets at Citi Field after striking record $765 million, 15
- Student protests take over some campuses. At others, attention is elsewhere
- Kentucky Derby 2024 ticket prices: How expensive is it to see 150th 'Run for the Roses'?
- University of Houston football will defy NFL, feature alternate light blue uniform in 2024
- McKinsey to pay $650 million after advising opioid maker on how to 'turbocharge' sales
- Kentucky Derby 2024 ticket prices: How expensive is it to see 150th 'Run for the Roses'?
Ranking
- Could Bill Belichick, Robert Kraft reunite? Maybe in Pro Football Hall of Fame's 2026 class
- More than half of cats died after drinking raw milk from bird flu-infected cows
- Travis Kelce Reacts to Jaw-Dropping Multi-Million Figure of His New Contract
- 76ers force Game 6 vs. Knicks after Tyrese Maxey hits clutch shot to force overtime
- The FTC says 'gamified' online job scams by WhatsApp and text on the rise. What to know.
- 'What kind of monster are you?' California parents get prison in 4-year-old son's death
- ‘A step back in time': America’s Catholic Church sees an immense shift toward the old ways
- Kansas tornado leaves 1 dead, destroys nearly two dozen homes, officials say
Recommendation
House passes bill to add 66 new federal judgeships, but prospects murky after Biden veto threat
A Facebook user roasted the popular kids book 'Love You Forever.' The internet is divided
9-year-old's heroic act saves parents after Oklahoma tornado: Please don't die, I will be back
South Carolina Senate takes up ban on gender-affirming care for transgender minors
Brianna LaPaglia Reveals The Meaning Behind Her "Chickenfry" Nickname
Student protesters reach a deal with Northwestern University that sparks criticism from all sides
Police storm into building held by pro-Palestinian protesters at Columbia | The Excerpt
Live Nation's Concert Week is here: How to get $25 tickets to hundreds of concerts