Many of us feel ripped off in our day to day spending, so much so that bringing up even a single rip-off story in a group of people is likely to trigger a flood of them from everyone else. Whether it’s at the movies, in restaurants or on vacation, we seldom believe we are getting as much for our money as we ought to. Of course, some rip-off stories are more debatable than others. Often times, what is called a ripoff is little more than someone’s subjective opinion of what they “really” deserve for their money, whatever that means. However, other purchases actually do appear, by all objective criteria, to be a raw deal just about all the time. Today, BillShrink analyzes some common ripoffs as mentioned recently by CNN Money, that most of our readers are likely to be well acquainted with.

[From The 12 Biggest Ripoffs in America]

Evgeni Plushenko’s long, delusional journey continues. Just days after the silver medalist for men’s figure skating denied that Evan Lysacek is the true champion of men’s figure skating, he has apparently awarded himself a platinum medal. From his official website:

[From In Plushenko's mind (and website), he's the platinum medal winner - Fourth-Place Medal - 2010 Olympics Blog - Yahoo! Sports]

My name is Andrea Fay Friedman. I was born with Down syndrome. I played the role of Ellen on the “Extra Large Medium” episode of Family Guy that was broadcast on Valentine’s day. Although they gave me red hair on the show, I am really a blonde. I also wore a red wig for my role in ” Smudge” but I was a blonde in “Life Goes On”. I guess former Governor Palin does not have a sense of humor. I thought the line “I am the daughter of the former governor of Alaska” was very funny. I think the word is “sarcasm”.

In my family we think laughing is good. My parents raised me to have a sense of humor and to live a normal life. My mother did not carry me around under her arm like a loaf of French bread the way former Governor Palin carries her son Trig around looking for sympathy and votes.

[From 'Family Guy' Actress Responds To Sarah Palin's Criticism]

Why bees are partial to coffee and cigarettes – they may be addicted

[From Bees are partial to coffee and cigarettes | Mail Online]

“Marijuana Saved My Son’s Life” Mom Mieko Hester Perez will be a special guest at the T.H.C. Expo (Talking Hemp and Cannabis) at the Berlin (WI) Public Library this Saturday, Feb. 6, from 12pm-3pm. Hester Perez’s story of how she turned to medical cannabis, legal in her home state of California, after her 10 year-old autistic son’s weight plummeted to 48 pounds has been featured on Good Morning America, Fox News and other media. The T.H.C. Expo (Talking Hemp & Cannabis) will be held in the Berlin Public Library, located at 121 W. Park Ave., Berlin.

[From Mieko Hester Perez "Marijuana Saved My Son's Life'" coming to Berlin WI T.H.C. Expo Sat. Feb. 6]