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Journalism of Courage
Christmas classics have always held a nostalgic charm and enduring popularity. A case in point is the 1990 hit ‘Home Alone.’ As we revisit the adventures of young Kevin McCallister navigating his way through the challenges of being accidentally left behind during a family vacation, a particular scene takes centre stage – Kevin’s solo trip to the supermarket for essentials.
This seemingly ordinary grocery run has now become the subject of a viral TikTok and Instagram video as well. It unravels the stark reality of inflation over the past three decades.
User @thegeoffreylyons took it upon himself to crunch the numbers, and what he discovered has left fans and economists alike in awe. In the iconic supermarket scene, Kevin, armed with twenty dollars (Rs 1,668), sets out to purchase the necessities for survival.
His shopping list, a snapshot of 1990’s grocery prices, included a TV dinner, a loaf of Wonder Bread, frozen mac and cheese, cling wrap, and, not to be overlooked – a coupon for orange juice.
The total cost of Kevin’s spree tallied up to a reasonable 19.83 dollars (Rs 1,654).
The calculations revealed a staggering 248 per cent increase in the cost of the same items. It’s a revelation that prompts us to reflect on the changing tides of our economic reality.
Should one attempt to replicate Kevin’s shopping endeavor in 2023, they would be met with a grand total of 58 dollars (Rs 5,669.04) – tax included.
Users on Instagram commented with awe, shock and concern. One user mentioned, “That price that he’s paying was cheap even back then,” while a second user commented, “Crazy!!!,” and a third said, “Even in Britain it wouldn’t be that much”.
The innocence and simplicity of Kevin’s twenty dollars would now fall short in the face of a grocery bill that mirrors the weight of contemporary inflationary pressures. The aisles may have changed, but the charm of the McCallister household endures – now with a side of economic reflection.
