The FREAKest Links: Public Portfolios and Rubber Purses Edition

This week marks the launch of Covestor, an online investor service that allows other “covestors” to assess and even mimic your investment style. (Hat tip: Matthew Hertz.)

Reader Elizabeth Gonzalez alerted us to an interesting consumer trend: high-end furniture and fashion accessories made from recycled trash. Here’s an example. Because nothing says “green” like a purse made from old Firestones.

For anyone who’s ever thought that buying a car was overwhelming, here’s proof that you’re not alone: A study led by U.C. Berkeley economist Meghan Busse found that U.S. car buyers responded in force when the Big Three offered “employee discount” pricing — not even realizing that these prices were actually higher than the typical prices available.