Really!?! You sound like John's friend who doesn't see the point in layers. There's never been a Photoshop upgrade that hasn't made my life easier [as a photographer]. Not always headline features like content aware, but sometimes really useful things like subtle UI tweaks that make the day to day usage so much smoother.
Indeed, I really kept upgrading each version from PS3 to PS6. And you'll be pleased to know, that I do like and use layers.
However, I didn't see any substantial improvements between PS CS5 and the current version of PS CC to justify the switch.
This past summer, when I attempted to upgrade my perpetual copy of LR, I placed an online order with Adobe, who happily took all my information, including my credit card info, and informed me the next day by email, that they were unable to process the transaction. They did not specify the reason (the card was in good standing and Topaz Labs, a smaller and more competent supplier was capable to process another order using the same credit card). Then, I ordered a physical copy of LR5 upgrade from Henrys, a major Canadian camera store. They were out of the upgrades and it took 5 weeks before Adobe managed to ship them new upgrades. In the meantime, Adobe kept lackadaisically all my personal data in their database which was recently hacked.
Their CC offer started at $19.99, then it was reduced to $9.99, with Dec 31, Dec 2, and now Dec 8 deadlines.
It is somewhat confusing and it makes it hard to trust that outfit.