A TikTok video had fans reminiscing on the “cheap old days” when Macaulay Culkin’s character from the ’90s Home Alone could shop for food, toiletries, and household necessities for just $20. A user estimated he would buy the same things at 250% more today, costing $70.
In the movie, little Kevin buys liquid detergent, frozen dinner, Kraft macaroni and cheese, Wonder Bread, Quilted Northern toilet paper, Snuggle dryer sheets, a half-gallon of milk, Tropicana Homestyle orange juice, Saran wrap, and a bag of army figurines for a grand total of $19.83 after a dollar-off coupon.
How much would each item cost today?
A Dallas-based real estate agent named Lyons took it upon himself to find out exactly how much eight-year-old Kevin—who shopped at the family-owned Illinois supermarket called Rockford Schnucks—would have spent today.
RELATED: Macaulay Culkin Reunites With ‘Home Alone’ On-Screen Mom Catherine O’Hara
After checking Target’s website to add up the cost, here’s what Lyons found: $4.50 for orange juice, $4.50 for Saran wrap, $5 for a frozen dinner, $13 for Tide liquid detergent, $3 for Wonder Bread, $3.50 for mac and cheese, $4.60 for milk, $8.79 for dryer sheets, $8 for toilet paper and $9 for toy soldiers all amounting to $63.73 before tax. The grand total sums up to $68.99, which is exactly 248% higher than the ‘90s price.
Fans react to the price change
Users went nostalgic and took to the comments after seeing the old prices of the items. “So what you’re telling me is that my kids couldn’t survive if I accidentally left them home alone to go on a trip to Paris,” someone wrote. “I haaaaaate 2023,” another exclaimed.
Another joked that it was no surprise Kevin’s parents could afford their house at the time. “That $1 coupon is worth $31.08 today. Forgot to account for that,” an amused user joked. Lyons previously posted a call-out video highlighting the low price of ten pizzas the McAllisters ordered at the start of the movie. “122.50 for 10 good pizzas in 1990!” he captioned the post.