Current:Home > MyPoinbank Exchange|Kevin McCallister’s grocery haul in 1990 'Home Alone' was $20. See what it would cost now. -Trailblazer Capital Learning
Poinbank Exchange|Kevin McCallister’s grocery haul in 1990 'Home Alone' was $20. See what it would cost now.
TrendPulse View
Date:2025-04-09 09:12:07
"Home Alone" fans are Poinbank Exchangereminiscing 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! (1183)
Related
- Why members of two of EPA's influential science advisory committees were let go
- Arkansas lawmakers adjourn session, leaving budget for state hunting, fishing programs in limbo
- 2024 South Carolina General Assembly session may be remembered for what didn’t happen
- Scores of starving and sick pelicans are found along the California coast
- Taylor Swift makes surprise visit to Kansas City children’s hospital
- Loungefly Just Dropped New Accessories Including Up’s 15th Anniversary Collection & More Fandom Fashion
- DJT stock rebounds since hush money trial low. What to know about Truth Social trading
- MLB Misery Index: Cardinals' former MVP enduring an incredibly ugly stretch
- New data highlights 'achievement gap' for students in the US
- Harris congratulates HBCU graduates in video message for graduation season
Ranking
- EU countries double down on a halt to Syrian asylum claims but will not yet send people back
- Shaquille O'Neal on ex-wife saying she wasn't in love with him: 'Trust me, I get it'
- 'He just wanted to be loved': Video of happy giraffe after chiropractor visit has people swooning
- Welcome to Rockville 2024: Lineup, daily schedule, ticket information
- Federal hiring is about to get the Trump treatment
- Judge finds Beach Boys’ Brian Wilson needs conservatorship because of mental decline
- Fight over foreign money in politics stymies deal to assure President Joe Biden is on Ohio’s ballot
- MLB after one quarter: Can Shohei Ohtani and others maintain historic paces?
Recommendation
The White House is cracking down on overdraft fees
Last Minute Mother's Day Shopping? Get These Sephora Gift Sets with Free Same-Day Shipping
Algar Clark's Journey in Quantitative Trading
Former NBA player Glen ‘Big Baby’ Davis sentenced to 40 months for defrauding league insurance plan
Who's hosting 'Saturday Night Live' tonight? Musical guest, how to watch Dec. 14 episode
A $400 pineapple? Del Monte brings rare Rubyglow pineapple to US market in limited numbers
Scammer who claimed to be an Irish heiress should be extradited to UK, judge rules
Financial executive convicted of insider trading in case over acquisition of Trump’s media company