‘Home Alone’: Was the McCallister Family Rich?
Home Alone is still one of the most popular Christmas movies of all time, following young Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) when accidentally gets left behind for Christmas. While his family jets off to France in first class, Kevin is home alone and has to fend off a pair of burglars. The 1990 film has had fans questioning just how wealthy the McCallisters were with their huge home and fancy vacation.
If you’ve ever wondered this, Chicago Fed economists did the work for you. They estimated that the McCallisters would have been in the top 1% of household incomes in Chicago. In the ’90s, the family would have made around $305,000 per year with that number being equivalent to around $665,000 in 2022. The home in the film exists in Winnetka, Illinois, and is currently estimated to be worth about $2.3 million.
Erin Hooley/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images
So, what did the parents do to make that much money? Some suggest that Kate was a fashion designer, since mannequins were around the home, while Peter was probably a businessman. Despite their high income, you have to also remember that things were not as expensive back in the ’90s. People on social media were also discussing the scene where Kevin goes grocery shopping and reminiscing about cheaper prices.
20th Century Fox Film Corp./Everett Collection
If you remember the scene, Kevin purchases Tide liquid detergent, Kraft macaroni and cheese, Wonder Bread, a Stouffer’s frozen dinner, Quilted Northern toilet paper, half a gallon of milk, Tropicana Homestyle orange juice, Snuggle dryer sheets, Saran wrap, and some plastic army figurines. All of that totaled to $19.83 after he used a $1 off coupon. In today’s prices, that would be around $63. Ouch! Did you ever pay attention to these things in Home Alone? Share your thoughts with us!
@sellitlikelyons Groceries in 1990 vs Today Breakdown ☠️ #fyp #homealone #rockwalltx #geoffreylyons #lyonsden #northtexas #dallastx #dallasrealestate #dfw #dfwrealtor ♬ original sound – Geoffrey Lyons
Home For The Holidays
November 2021
Celebrate the holidays with your favorite classic stars!
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