10 Snacks You Could Buy for $1 or Less in the '90s

Growing up in the ‘90s was a lot different than it is today. There were no cell phones, kids played outside, and many groceries cost less. In fact, there were several snacks available for less than $1. Some of those have been discontinued, but others are still on the market today.

Here are some of the cheapest snacks from a time when it felt easier to save money shopping for snacks — and everything else.

Editor’s note: Prices are subject to change and may vary by location.

Price: $0.25

Price: $2.68 (Amazon)

Oatmeal Cream Pies are still a Little Debbie favorite, and they aren’t that expensive — though they aren’t very healthy, either. You can grab a 12-pack of these cookies for about $2.50 today. That brings the cost per cookie to just less than $0.21.

In the ‘90s, you could grab a single cookie for $0.25. You might be wondering why Oatmeal Cream Pies cost more in the ‘90s, but the single cookies back then were significantly larger, so you got way more bang for your buck (or quarter of a buck) back in the day.

Price: $0.25

Price: $27.98 (Walmart)

Now & Later candies are still sold in stores, and what’s really shocking is that you can still grab these chewy candies for the same price they sold for in the ‘90s. At only $0.25, the price is hard to beat. But you might need to shop around to get that bargain.

Some Now & Later candies today sell for much more. A single package could cost you nearly $2.00. The candies are available in single and assorted flavors, and 12 of the original 14 flavors still exist today.

Price: $0.10

Price: $12.73 (Walmart)

These sugary candy sticks were available to kids of all ages in the ‘90s, but as you can imagine, they aren’t as popular today. Several countries, including Canada, England, and Brazil have banned candy cigarettes altogether. But they are still available for purchase in the U.S.

You can grab a single pack of candy cigarettes today for $0.79, but they are more commonly sold in cases. As with most items, you’ll likely pay less for bulk orders.

Price: $0.17

Price: $4.98 (Walmart)

If you were a kid in the ‘90s, chances are you remember Jello-Pudding Pops. Sadly, these frozen treats have been discontinued. Originally marketed as a health food in the ‘80s, these pops sold for about $2 for a pack of 12. That would make each pudding pop just less than $0.17

While you can no longer find Jell-O Pudding Pops in the supermarket, there are plenty of DIY recipes available online.

Price: $0.37

Price: $4.38

You know Fruit Gushers, the fruity gummy snacks with a bursting juicy center. You can still buy these today, but when these snacks were introduced during the 90’s, they cost a lot less. Packs of six sold for $2.19, which equals about $0.37 per individual pack.

For comparison, today a six-pack of Fruit Gushers today typically costs more than $4. While the massive price jump might seem extensive, it’s in line with standard inflation.

Price: $0.40

Price: $2.01 (Walmart)

Hi-C was a go-to drink back in the ‘90s. With its clever packaging and sweet taste, it was a favorite among children. And the low cost made it a favorite for many parents. You could find cans of the flavored drink for only $0.40.

Hi-C is still available, but the drink has been through several changes, including the discontinuation of the popular Ghotbusters-inspired Ecto Cooler. However, Hi-C fans can still grab current varieties at a great price. Eight packs commonly sell for between $2 and $3.

Price: $0.33

Price: $5.18 (Walmart)

Can you remember buying glass bottles of soda for less than $1? Well, one Reddit member remembers buying three of them for around that price. Glass-bottled soft drinks are not as popular today, but they are still around. You’ve probably seen glass Coca-Cola bottles for sale in supermarkets.

Mello Yellow no longer comes in glass bottles, but you can still enjoy this citrus-flavored soda in a variety of sizes. But purchasing a single soda will cost you around $2 or $3.

Price: $0.05

Price: $3.00 (Five Below)

When thinking of the ‘90s, it’s hard not to recall the fun varieties of bubble gum on the market. While many gum varieties have shifted to sugar-free today, the ‘90s was a time of sugar, sugar, and more sugar.

You probably remember Ouch! Bubble Gum, the cool gum packaged like band-aids, complete in a metal tin. And then there was Fruit Stripe Gum, which some recall as the zebra gum due to the iconic zebra on the packaging. Bazooka was another favorite, and you could grab it for only $0.05. Packages of gum today often sell for $2 or more.

Price: $0.75

Price: $3.00 (Walmart)

Nacho Cheese Doritos are still around today, but they’ve more than doubled in price. Back in the ‘90s, you could purchase a small bag for only $0.75, but you’ll pay $1.48 or more today. While that might seem like a big price increase, it’s actually a steal when you adjust for inflation. After all, 1990 was more than 30 years ago.

Price: $1.00

Price: $2.12 (Walmart)

Twenty years ago, you could grab a two-liter of Coca-Cola for only $1. It’s nearly impossible to find even a 16 oz. of Coca-Cola today for that price. Unless you opt for a six-pack of soda, you can expect to pay more than $2 for an individual-sized bottle.

Surprisingly, you might pay less if you go with the larger two-liter bottle. While you won’t get away with paying $1, you can sometimes find these Coca-Cola bottles for just less than $2.

Inflation has caused many people to struggle with grocery costs. As this list shows, some prices have increased significantly in the past few decades, but surprisingly, others haven’t increased much at all.

Whether you want to shop for your favorite ‘90s snacks or make your own versions of the discontinued treats, comparing prices before you go to the store could help you save money on groceries.