Current:Home > ContactKevin McCallister’s grocery haul in 1990 'Home Alone' was $20. See what it would cost now. -Triumph Financial Guides
Kevin McCallister’s grocery haul in 1990 'Home Alone' was $20. See what it would cost now.
View
Date:2025-04-17 22:57:39
"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! (95636)
Related
- Israel lets Palestinians go back to northern Gaza for first time in over a year as cease
- McDonald's giving away free fries every Friday through the end of 2023: How to get yours
- Delay in possible Israel ground assault provides troops with better prep, experts say
- Alaska Airlines flight diverted, off-duty pilot Joseph Emerson arrested for trying to cut engines midflight, officials say
- Former Syrian official arrested in California who oversaw prison charged with torture
- 1 killed, 4 injured in fountain electrocution incident at Florida shopping center
- Bond markets are being hit hard — and it's likely to impact you
- Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's Winning Date Nights Continue in Kansas City
- Newly elected West Virginia lawmaker arrested and accused of making terroristic threats
- Amy Robach Hints at True Love While Hitting Relationship Milestone With T.J. Holmes
Ranking
- Israel lets Palestinians go back to northern Gaza for first time in over a year as cease
- Trump declines to endorse GOP speaker candidate for now, says he's trying to stay out of it
- Mauricio Umansky Dedicates DWTS Performance to His Rock Kyle Richards Amid Separation
- Is Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system ironclad?
- Gen. Mark Milley's security detail and security clearance revoked, Pentagon says
- Anchor of Chinese container vessel caused damage to Balticconnector gas pipeline, Finnish police say
- Democratic governor spars with Republican challenger over pandemic policies in Kentucky debate
- Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources secretary resigning after 10 months on the job
Recommendation
The Daily Money: Spending more on holiday travel?
MLB was right to delay Astros pitcher Bryan Abreu’s suspension – but the process stinks
Eagles trade for two-time All-Pro safety Kevin Byard in deal with Titans
'The Hunger Games' stage adaptation will battle in London theater in fall 2024
Woman dies after Singapore family of 3 gets into accident in Taiwan
Georgetown women's basketball coach Tasha Butts, 41, dies after battle with breast cancer
TSA investigating after state senator arrested abroad for bringing gun in carry-on
Gaza has oil markets on edge. That could build more urgency to shift to renewables, IEA head says