JCPenney Failed

A recent article on Fox Business discussed the recent mistakes made by JCPenney in ridding the retailer of sales opting for "everyday low prices" like unto Walmart. Their sales have plunged and their stock price has followed.
I used to be JCP biggest fan. I almost shopped there exclusively. I spent hundreds of dollars in their catalog.
In my opinion, it is not the lowering of prices that has sent their customers running for the doors. The past several times I have walked into the store, I've turned around and walked out. It wasn't the prices that turn me off, but the store environment which has changed. This may really sound like an insult, but it's the truth... JCPenney now looks like Sears! Sorry. I can't put my finger on it, but something has changed in the way they are displaying the product and arranging the store.
The BIGGEST thing for me though has been the catalog. I HATE the new catalogs. I won't even look at them now. I just trash them. It's sad because I've spent my entire life studying and browsing the JCPenney catalogs. It's sad. I've divorced myself from JCP. I would gladly kiss and make-up if they'd only reconsider and come back to me!

Pending Student Loan Crisis

Re-thinking the advanced education decision... For years we have encouraged people to get a degree and that any degree was of value. Students went into debt for degrees which offered no real return on the cost. Now they have a problem. Prudence is the key when deciding whether or not to borrow money for an advanced degree. 1) Can I afford to do it without incurring any debt, 2) if I go into debt, does the degree fairly ensure I can pay off the debt quickly? In addition, lenders must take the responsibility to lend money for student loans to responsible people with a good plan. Similar to the housing crisis in recent years, lenders are giving money to everyone -- never a sound business decision.