Current:Home > NewsKevin McCallister’s grocery haul in 1990 'Home Alone' was $20. See what it would cost now. -Aspire Financial Strategies
Kevin McCallister’s grocery haul in 1990 'Home Alone' was $20. See what it would cost now.
View
Date:2025-04-14 06:31:30
"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! (84)
Related
- Juan Soto to be introduced by Mets at Citi Field after striking record $765 million, 15
- Jury deliberation begins in the trial over Memphis rapper Young Dolph’s killing
- 2024 PCCAs: Brandi Cyrus Reacts to Learning She and Miley Cyrus Are Related to Dolly Parton
- The Latest: Trump meets with Zelenskyy and Harris heads to US-Mexico border
- Romantasy reigns on spicy BookTok: Recommendations from the internet’s favorite genre
- Kelsea Ballerini Reveals the Most Competitive Voice Coach
- Georgia-Alabama showdown is why Bulldogs quarterback Carson Beck chose college over the NFL
- How Messi's Inter Miami qualified for the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup
- Highlights from Trump’s interview with Time magazine
- Hand-counting measure effort fizzles in North Dakota
Ranking
- Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
- 'We've got a problem': Sheriff scolds residents for ignoring Helene evacuation order
- Suit up: Deals on Halloween costumes among Target Circle Week deals for Oct. 6-12
- How the new 2025 GMC Yukon offers off-road luxury
- Will the 'Yellowstone' finale be the last episode? What we know about Season 6, spinoffs
- Why Paige DeSorbo Wasn't by Boyfriend Craig Conover's Side at 2024 People's Choice Country Awards
- Jews and Catholics warn against Trump’s latest loyalty test for religious voters
- At the New York Film Festival, an art form at play
Recommendation
Travis Hunter, the 2
Oakland A's play final game at the Coliseum: Check out the best photos
Nebraska to become 17th Big Ten school to sell alcohol at football games in 2025 if regents give OK
Cardi B says she regrets marrying Offset: 'Always been too good for you'
Can Bill Belichick turn North Carolina into a winner? At 72, he's chasing one last high
In St. Marks, residents await Hurricane Helene's wrath
Alan Eugene Miller becomes 2nd inmate in US to be executed with nitrogen gas
Hurricane Helene's forecast looks disastrous far beyond Florida