Current:Home > MyKevin McCallister’s grocery haul in 1990 'Home Alone' was $20. See what it would cost now. -NextGenWealth
Kevin McCallister’s grocery haul in 1990 'Home Alone' was $20. See what it would cost now.
View
Date:2025-04-18 09:51:06
"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! (5)
Related
- Alex Murdaugh’s murder appeal cites biased clerk and prejudicial evidence
- Billie Eilish says her bluntness about sex makes people uncomfortable. She's right.
- Mass arrests, officers in riot gear: Pro-Palestinian protesters face police crackdowns
- Vanessa Lachey Says She Was Blindsided by NCIS: Hawai'i Cancellation
- Toyota to invest $922 million to build a new paint facility at its Kentucky complex
- Former Michigan basketball coach Juwan Howard hired as Brooklyn Nets assistant, per report
- Menthol cigarette ban delayed due to immense feedback, Biden administration says
- Why OKC Thunder's Lu Dort has been MVP of NBA playoffs vs. New Orleans Pelicans
- Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
- Indiana voters to pick party candidates in competitive, multimillion dollar primaries
Ranking
- Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people
- Why Taylor Swift's Lilac Short Skirt Is Going Viral After Tortured Poets Department Reference
- A suspect is in custody after 5 people were shot outside a club in the nation’s capital, police say
- Retired pro wrestler, failed congressional candidate indicted in Vegas murder case
- The Daily Money: Spending more on holiday travel?
- Planned Parenthood announces $10 million voter campaign in North Carolina for 2024 election
- Body of climber recovered after 1,000-foot fatal fall on Alaska peak
- Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs files motion to dismiss some claims in a sexual assault lawsuit
Recommendation
A Mississippi company is sentenced for mislabeling cheap seafood as premium local fish
South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem writes about killing her dog in new book
Hamas says it's reviewing an Israel cease-fire proposal as pressure for peace mounts
Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Dressing on the Side
'Most Whopper
Noah Cyrus Fires Back at Tish Cyrus, Dominic Purcell Speculation With NSFW Message
Another McCaffrey makes the NFL: Washington Commanders select WR Luke McCaffrey
Winnipeg Jets defenseman Brenden Dillon suffers gash on hand during end-of-game scrum