A recent report said that bad math skills are making us bad shoppers. The University of Miami School of Business study might explain why discounts and sales often confuse us. Read details from the survey of 600 shoppers here.

The study might explain why the first place I ever had a credit card — JC Penney — keeps changing its tactics.

The latest news is that JC Penney will scrap its confusing sale strategy. It will also move its ad dollars to print — we kind of like that in my world here at the Erie Times-News. Read the Ad Age report here. J.C. Penney and Macy’s are also fighting over deals with Martha Stewart. Read that sad tale here.

Most of us aren’t in the mood to figure out if a deal is a deal or calculate if we are saving money. Make it simple and we’ll buy stuff. I hope my friends at JC Penney find that strategy works, and soon.

Pam Parker is the editor of Lake Erie LifeStyle, Her Times and House to Home at the Erie Times-News in Erie, Pa.