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Back-To-School Supply Shopping Giving Parents Sticker Shock

WESTBURY, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) – They're in the mail, online and very possibly hanging on your refrigerator door: school supply lists making you feel like summer is fleeting and it's time to outfit your kids for the classroom.

As CBS 2's Carolyn Gusoff reports, if you hit the stores early for school supplies, you won't be alone.

Even though the summer sun is still blazing and classes are out for another month, stores are already in back-to-school mode.

Those school supply lists are making an appearance earlier than ever and legions of shoppers at Target are making it a point to get their shopping done and get back to enjoying what's left of summer.

"I want to go to the beach and not here for the mad rush," one shopper said.

But early bird shoppers complain school supply lists are more extensive and expensive than ever with specific brands and colors.

"We need to get every color of the rainbow—red, orange, yellow, but we need two greens and two blues," another shopper said.

Jeannine Cerabone says filling her kids' backpacks costs $100 each.

"It's a lot, it adds up," she said.

"Five hundred dollars for three kids. It's a lot of money, and not including clothes," East Meadow mother Kim Brown said.

Plus, parents now foot the bill for more classroom supplies like resealable plastic bags, baby wipes and tissues.

At John's Variety in Williston Park, they'll bundle your supplies for one price and donate a percentage to the school.

"Early shopping is good for everyone. Beat the crowds, get the right quantity and everything's here in stock," owner John Robinson said.

Target also donates school supplies to schools in need. The company says its $25 million goal has been met.

But shopping spree aside, none of it is easing the pain for kids.

"I'm sad. I don't want school to start again," soon-to-be fourth grader Emily Brown said.

It's also giving some parents sticker shock.

"We spent $90 and another $150," Jennifer Dvorosnak said.

But as Gusoff reported, if you think that's bad, wait until the kids are college-ready. The college checklist between books, bedding and decking out a dorm room can set you back thousands.

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