While kids are enjoying their summer freedom, moms and dads in the US are already planning for back-to-school and expecting to spend 21.8% more this year, according to a report that was recently published by investment firm JLL. 

The Chicago-based company’s research team surveyed 1,003 parents online in May to determine how and where they plan to shop for the upcoming school year. US households are poised to spend US$475 on each child, which represents a huge jump from last year’s average of US$390, and also outpaces the current annual rate of inflation (3.4%) by 18.4%. 

According to the survey, 25% of families started their back-to-school shopping as early as May. And by July, this number will exceed 75% as parents look for tax-free sales and other savings to maximize their budgets. 

JLL says families will focus up to 64% of their back-to-school spending on discretionary goods rather than school-recommended essentials, and parents who shop at brick-and-mortar retail for these items will visit four or more stores and rack up an average total spend of US$656 to check off everything on their lists.