It’s easy to waste products by using too much. This is especially true with products that are pourable or in squeezable containers. No one wants to feel like there’s a daily audit on product usage, but if at least one person in the household measures only the amount that is needed or makes an effort to use less of a product, it can amount to a decent amount of annual savings without any loss in product performance.
What products do you find yourself using more than you actually need?

SHAMPOO:

Place shampoo in a dispenser or a pump bottle (pump bottles are great for dish liquid, hand soap and condiments, too). Measure a quarter-sized dollop into your hand instead of filling your palm. Do your own test at home. Have a family member or friend place various-priced shampoos into newly marked bottles (labeled A, B, C so you can tell them apart). See which shampoo you like best. You might be surprised to discover you prefer a cheaper shampoo than you’ve been using. And most people don’t need to lather, rinse and repeat.

LAUNDRY DETERGENT:

Accurate measuring is the key to using less. You might simply eyeball it and pour the product directly into your washing machine, or maybe you fill the measuring cup. This causes product build up in your washer and on your clothes, and can make your laundry smell terrible. The measurement lines are on the inside of the cap and are often hard to see, and instructions for amounts are on the container. Measure and mark the cap with a permanent marker or simply use your own measuring cup. Many people use far less than is recommended with favorable results, too. Visit www.instructables.com/id/Get-that-last-load-from-a-bottle-of-detergent! for a tutorial on how to cut an upside down “V” under the base of the spout to pour out every remaining bit of product that gets trapped. Or add some water to the container and shake and pour to use it all. One reader, Karen from Kansas, shares: “Back when I used liquid detergent, I turned the bottle upside down to get out the last bit. I now purchase Charlie’s Soap (www.charliesoap.com) in a 5-gallon bucket (1,280 loads). You can buy it in liquid form, too, which is enough to last us three to four years.”

SALAD DRESSING:

Use less by pouring slowly into your bowl, add a lid, and shake the dressing to disperse it evenly.

CLEANERS:

You don’t have to spray the entire surface with cleaning product. The product gets absorbed by your paper towel or cloth. Moisten the surface with water to loosen dirt or dried spills, and use a microfiber cloth to clean the surface first and then decide whether or not you need a spray cleaner. Many of your cleaning products can be replaced with vinegar, salt, dish liquid, essential oils, lemon juice, castile soap and baking soda.

PAPER TOWELS:

Don’t use a full sheet for small spills. Place a stack of cheap white washcloths on your counter top. Use them for cleaning and drying hands. Another reader, Patty A, from Utah, shares: “I buy dollar-store brand coffee filters (200 count) to drain grease on. They don’t leave the little bits of paper stuck to things. I also use washrags instead of paper towels. The older ones become dishrags and the old dish rags become cleaning rags. Old cloth diapers are the best for cleaning rags, and can many times be picked up at yard sales or thrift stores.”

photo by jonseidman1998

DEAR SARA:

I need tips on thawing frozen bread products. I’ve never been a fan of freezing bread products because I’m unsure how to thaw them, so they are either hard or soggy. Looking for suggestions, as I’ve been given a ton of bread products like hamburger/hot dogs rolls and will need to freeze them to keep from losing them. — Laurie G., Florida

DEAR LAURIE:

I get this question often. I haven’t had soggy or hardened bread unless I kept bread products frozen for too long. I freeze store-bought loaves of bread and hamburger and hot dog rolls in their original bag. I squeeze some air out if the bread seems to move around in the bag and simply thaw on the counter. My suggestion is to wrap your bread products differently. You want to wrap the bread products tightly (but not too tight or you’ll squish them) and get as much air out of the packaging as possible. Wrap the bread in plastic wrap and then in foil. Or if you prefer to use the original plastic packaging, open it and remove as much air as possible and double wrap it by placing it into a larger freezer storage bag or airtight plastic container. Thaw at room temperature and not in the refrigerator. Don’t freeze longterm.

DEAR SARA:

What can I use in place of English muffin molds? I have found a recipe to make homemade English muffins. I have the griddle (just bought at Wal-Mart) but no English muffin molds. They sell them on Amazon.com, but I really don’t want to buy them online. If I can recycle something or repurpose something first I’d rather. If there is no substitution for the molds, well then, I will have to go buy them. Any suggestions? — Amy, Connecticut

DEAR AMY:

You can use a tuna can, mason jar ring or biscuit cutter. You should be able to mold the dough into patties with your hands, too. And who says they have to be round? Use a pizza cutter and cut the dough into squares. or try an English muffin loaf recipe that you can bake and slice.

English Muffin Loaves

2 cups milk
1/2 cup water
5 cups flour, divided
2 (1/4 ounce) packages active dry yeast
1 tablespoon sugar
1-1/2 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
3 tablespoons cornmeal

Preheat oven to 375 F. Grease and dust with cornmeal two 9-by-5-inch loaf pans. In a small saucepan, heat the milk and water until very warm. In a large bowl, combine 3 cups flour, yeast, sugar, salt and baking soda. Add the warm milk and water and beat well for about 3 minutes. Stir in enough of the remaining flour to make a stiff batter. Do not knead. Spoon into two 9-by-5-inch loaf pans. Sprinkle cornmeal on top. Cover and let rise in a warm place for 45 minutes. Bake at 375 F for 30 to 35 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pans immediately and let cool. Toast before serving. Cook’s note: Don’t expect a high loaf like homemade bread. Can spoon into muffin tins, too.

photo by inha leex hale

Baby-formula cans are sturdy and durable. You can reuse them as household storage containers. They work well as a gift container, to hold plastic bags, toilet paper, plastic utensils and napkins for a backyard BBQ and in your laundry room to place lone socks. Or, carry one in the car with baby essentials such as baby wipes, sunscreen, a couple of diapers, spare shirt/pants, toys, bib, sun hat, etc.
How have you reused them?
The first reader tip shares a few more suggestions.

REUSE FORMULA CANS:

I used baby-formula cans to separate little bits in the garage — one for screws, one for bolts, one for nails, etc. I also have separate cans for things that I have small number of related items for household repairs, plumbing supplies and electrical supplies. I wrote the contents on the side of the can and lined them up on a shelf, so it is easy to just run to the garage and grab whichever can is needed to deal with any household project or emergency. — Carla, Canada

SALAD SHORTCUT:

I buy a bag of prewashed baby spinach, a bag of carrots and bunch of celery weekly and make tossed salad ahead. I coarse chop spinach, peel and dice carrots, dice celery pieces and place in a large ziploc bag. You can turn the bag around to toss, but try not to shake vigorously, as it damages the spinach. Add a half a paper towel and store without squeezing the air out of the bag. That allows the veggies to move around without squishing. This will keep for a week. I grab a handful each morning, throw in a container and take for lunch. You can add cherry tomatoes, cucumber, radish or thawed/shelled edamame, but not to the main salad, because the more water you add, the more disintegration occurs. — Penny, e-mail

STAIN REMOVAL:

For those using hot water to treat stains, stop. Heat causes stains to set, making them harder, if not impossible, to get out. Use cold water and pretreat with laundry detergent, stain remover, OxiClean, or baking powder, then wash. Dish soap is great for getting out oil/grease stains. OxiClean can be expensive, but buy in bulk on sale and a little goes a long way. I have a three month old and I keep a 5-gallon bucket filled with water and half a scoop of OxiClean. Stained clothes (poo, spit up) go in the bucket to soak until laundry day. Depending on how long the water has been sitting or was absorbed, I just reuse a couple times. Gets all my stains out — even some set ones — and have had no problems with it wearing out clothing either. — Raye H., e-mail

FREEZE PANCAKES:

I have had very good luck with frozen pancakes. Let them completely cool, place wax paper between each and place in a freezer bag. Take them out a couple minutes before you’re ready to eat. My microwave has a reheat setting for fresh rolls. For four pancakes, I punch it twice, which is for 20 seconds. We really like this. I’ve also tried the toaster, griddle and regular setting on the microwave, but the reheating is the best. — Kathy, e-mail

photo by the consumerist

Congratulations ssindi. You’ve won the Kraft Sandwich Shop May contest which includes 4 bottles of KRAFT SANDWICH SHOP Mayo. Flavors include Chipotle, Garlic & Herb, Horseradish-Dijon and Hot & Spicy.. Thank you to everyone that entered and special thank you to Kraft Foods, INC. for sponsoring this contest

Moving can be exciting and stressful. Whether it’s your first apartment or a move into a new-to-you home, you’ll be tempted to buy new furnishings and home decor. Many interior decorating accents and solutions can be either handmade projects or purchased secondhand. Maybe your budget has room to splurge a bit. You can combine and mix styles as well as low-end and high-end elements without looking cheap. What items do you think you should spend and save on to furnish a new place?
Here are a few suggestions.

SPLURGE ON:

Some of your larger anchor pieces, such as couches, dining or kitchen tables, mattresses and bed frames, can be more high-end items. Excluding mattresses, there are plenty of deals to be found at estate sales, antique stores, in classified ads, retail furniture clearance sales, hand-me-downs from family, etc. One reader, Carla from Canada, shares: “I felt we should buy a quality couch, as it is something that gets a lot of use and should last a long time. I also felt it was worth paying extra if needed to get something that was actually comfortable to sit on. We bought a solid wood entertainment center, too. I would never get a cheap particle board one again, as we wasted so much money on replacing ones that bent and fell apart.”

SCRIMP ON:

Curtains can be found secondhand, bought cheap or made yourself. Tab or grommet panels and valances are a cheap option. Or sew some straight panels from fabric that can be bought secondhand or on sale at a fabric store. Another reader, Kim from Alabama, adds: “I have a twin-size flat sheet as a curtain on my bedroom window. It’s pulled back and fastened with a decorative drapery tie with tassel. The fitted sheet I used to cover two long pillows to make a padded headboard for my bed that sits right on top of the mattresses. I have just a Hollywood frame and didn’t want to spend the money for a wooden headboard. Now the curtains and the headboard match. It works for me since the set of sheets was used and was given to me! The pillows for the headboard were ‘salvaged’ foam sofa cushion cut to the desired size.”

SPLURGE ON:

Consider furniture that has a dual purpose, such as chests that can be used as storage and a table. A large dresser can be used for clothes, as a makeshift buffet, in the garage as a potting bench or to hold miscellaneous tools, in a mudroom to hold winter gear, as a TV stand, or to hold games, craft supplies or books. Another reader, Jen D., shares: “I took an old dresser from my childhood and turned it into a media stand. I took out the top two drawers, popped out their bottoms and used the bottoms as the shelf in the newly vacated space. My DVD player sat there so it could pick up a signal from the remote. As for the drawers themselves (what was left of them), I took the handles off and hung them nearby on the wall as square shelves that held two small speakers and a small knickknack. A quick repaint in soft white and I had a beautiful little entertainment center!”

SCRIMP ON:

Artwork can be made cheaply. Use photos, make collages or shadow boxes from keepsakes. Frame children’s art, vintage greeting cards, fabric or handkerchiefs. Scan and frame book illustrations, or make your own silhouette art (visit www.designspongeonline.com/2008/04/diy-project-custom-paper-silhouettes.html). Check arts and crafts shows and festivals for low-cost artwork, too.

photo by somegeekintn

DEAR SARA:

How do I get dry paint off a Pergo floor? We painted our son’s room, and there are dry paint spots on the floor. I know some of them can be scraped up, but some look like they were stepped in and spread around the room. Those won’t come up with a scrapper. — Amy, Connecticut

DEAR AMY:

Try water or vinegar and a soft cloth. If that doesn’t remove it, Pergo.com and one of their consumer line representatives (1-800-33-PERGO) offered the following advice.
– Do not use soaps, detergents, or cleaners with wax because they may leave a film, dulling the floor.
– Difficult spots like nail polish, markers, tar and cigarette burns can typically be easily removed with a Laminate and Hard Surface cleaner. Another option is to mix 1 gallon of water with 1 cup vinegar or 1/2 cup of ammonia per gallon of water.
– Pergo floors must never be waxed, polished, sanded or refinished, and never use a wet or jet mop when cleaning.
– For chocolate, grease, juice, cordials and wine, use lukewarm water and a nonabrasive cleaner (such as, ammonia and water) or Pergo Floor Cleaner.
– For tar, markers, paint, crayon, lipstick, oil, shoe polish, ink, nail polish and cigarette burns, use acetone/nail polish remover or denatured alcohol. Note: Do not use acetone on Pergo wallbase or quarter round. Don’t pour the acetone on the floor, apply it to a soft cloth.
– For candle wax and chewing gum, let it harden and scrape carefully with a blunt plastic scraper.

DEAR SARA:

I need help making a marble cake. I am making my niece’s birthday cake, and she wants marble. I found cake mix for 89 cents each. I have three chocolate and three vanilla. I’m using a 12-by-18-by-2-inch Wilton pan. I know it holds three boxes. What I don’t know is how to swirl them together. I’m very nervous about messing up on this. I plan on making all three boxes of each flavor so I can use equal amounts of each in the two layers. Can you explain to me how to swirl them to make it a marble cake? Thanks! — Amy, Connecticut

DEAR AMY:

You can do this a couple of ways. You can add the vanilla cake batter to the pan and drop tablespoons of chocolate batter in dollops on top of the vanilla batter, and then use a butter knife, fork, wooden spoon handle or chopstick to make a zig-zag pattern (left to right and up and down) to swirl the chocolate into the vanilla. Don’t overdo this, or your cake will end up looking like chocolate. Or you can use round or rectangle cake pans and drop ice cream scoops of alternate flavored/colored batter into the pan like a checkerboard pattern in two layers, and then drag the knife through to swirl the flavors/colors.

photo by rutlo

Is your wallet filled with loyalty, rewards or club cards? They get disorganized and you fumble at the cash register to find the card you need. You can organize them into a card-organizer holder, bundled with a rubber band, or try KeyRingThing (www.keyringthing.com) or CardStar (www.mycardstar.com), which puts multiple cards onto a single card. The latter offers a mobile app, too. The first two reader tips share makeshift solutions.

ORGANIZE LOYALTY CARDS:

I hole punch mine and put them on a key ring. Always together. Most weren’t hard. For a couple, I just used a drill. Not as “pretty,” but it works. Then I smoothed with an emery board. — Noella, Canada

I have been putting them into hard plastic baseball card holders and filing them in an old 3-1/2-inch computer disk box holder. They fit great, and I can use the dividers as a little filing system. See, I knew someday I’d find a reason for saving them. — Lisa P., Connecticut

PREVENT SOS PADS FROM RUSTING:

I have a small bowl beside my sink in which I keep a plastic pot scrubber and an SOS pad. The SOS pad must be kept on top of the plastic pad so air can circulate. I never have a rust problem. — Laura F., e-mail

KEEP TRACK OF SOCKS:

When my two sons were small, it was easy to keep track of everyone’s socks, but as they got older and their feet approached their dad’s foot size, the problems began, and I tried several ways to keep track. The only thing that worked was to buy one style of black socks, one style of white socks, and the size that fits 3 or 4 sizes. I made room in one of their dad’s dresser drawers. The black socks were piled in the front and the white socks were piled in the back. The socks did not have to be paired because they were all the same. There was plenty so they never ran out between washings, and everybody was happy. — Lucille S., Pennsylvania

USE LESS SOAP:

I purchased a product dispenser for the shower wall. I did this first for the kids’ bathroom, as they would use lots of soap in one squirt. I now fill the dispenser (then hide the bottles). They press the button, and it dispenses an acceptable amount of product. This dispenser has saved us more than the $20 it cost. We were so pleased that we put one in our shower. — 2ndGenGranola, New Mexico

KID-PROOFING KITCHEN CHAIRS:

We bought our dining set about six years ago from a run-of-the-mill furniture store. It still looks good, only has a couple minor nicks and scratches, and it’s pretty sturdy. The seat cushions however look horrible. They are upholstered in a light colored beige/yellow fabric and have gotten so dirty, I can’t even stand to look at them anymore. My son is 3 years old and is constantly spilling food and drink or wiping his hands on the seats. I’ve tried to steam clean them with minimal effect. Today I picked up two yards of a wipe-able ultra leather fabric at the surplus and salvage store. My husband helped me to remove the seats from the chairs and so far I have re-covered two of the seats. I am almost giddy over the improvement! Hopefully, we can now get at least another five or six years of use out of this set. The finish of the wood is a darker cherry stain color, which doesn’t match our plans for updating the kitchen, but I’m hoping we will be able to paint or refinish the table. I’m not sure if we can sand the top though, because I think it’s a thin veneer. For now, I am happy with just being able to keep it clean! — Sheri W., Maine

photo by joelogon

When living on a tight budget, you realize quickly which skills are important. Often, basic skills can be the difference between a small bump in the road and a financial crisis. You can give the next generation a huge gift by teaching them skills that can help them as adults. There are plenty of skills such as gardening, first-aid, childcare/babysitting basics, tool identification and how to use them, etiquette/manners, basic home/car repairs and maintenance, reading food labels or bartering, that you can teach that aren’t useful just during recent tough times but all the time.

You can teach kids gradually and informally or on a schedule. One reader, Denise from Illinois, shares: “We started teaching life skills when my kids were small. My kids have told their friends that they couldn’t go somewhere with them because today was a life skills day, etc. We’ve even had some of their friends come over for lessons at times. My kids have input on what they’d like to learn, and we teach them things we feel are imperative to know. Some things are negotiable. I’d love for my daughter to learn to knit and crochet, but she wants no part of it, so we don’t do that. Some things are not negotiable. They all learned to sew a simple item and mend, and they all learned to plan and fix simple meals. We noticed it was harder and harder to just “find” teachable moments as my kids got older. If we didn’t schedule it, somehow they never happened. My kids liked the idea of learning certain things on certain days during the summer, too. Cooking class on Monday, sewing on Wednesday, budgeting/finances on Saturday and so forth. ”
What life skills do you think are important for kids to know?

CHORES:

It seems like common sense, but it’s amazing that some children don’t have to do many chores. Visit www.familyroi.org/Family_ROI_Age_Appropriate_Chores.pdf for a handy age-appropriate chore guide. Another reader, Mary C. from Indiana, shares: “Teach kids how to approach the basics of work such as how to work, how to work hard, going the extra mile, organizing work, working efficiently and staying with the work until it’s DONE. To accomplish this, I have always had my kids work beside me. None of this ‘you watch a video and when Mommy’s done with her work, we’ll have some fun.’ This drives me nuts to hear parents say this.”

BUDGETING:

Kids need to have money experiences. This can start with a piggy bank, books and games that teach money skills and transition to earning their own money to buy some of their own items, how to make/count back change and having their own bank account. Yes, it seems like an obvious thing to teach, but with so many parents using debit or credit cards, kids aren’t exposed to the actual exchanges of money as often as you might think. Take your children to thrift stores or garage sales or have them clip and use coupons to show them the difference between discounted prices and paying full retail price. In other words, be the best financial role model and teach them the best use of their hard-earned money.

INDEPENDENCE:

This is tough and isn’t taught overnight, but kids need to learn critical thinking, healthy habits, social and research skills. You can’t do everything for them or give everything to them. Kids should struggle sometimes, learn consequences, feel disappointment and understand that the world isn’t fair and no one owes them anything. Kids should have an opportunity to volunteer and be a part of the community, too. Your goal is to give them the tools they need to be resilient and responsible adults.

photo by rosscrawford1

When you think frugal family vacations, camping comes to mind. How much can a tent and some bug spray cost compared to airfare and hotel accommodations, right? Unfortunately, if you’re a novice camper and don’t plan ahead, it can be far more expensive than you anticipated.
How have you camped on a budget? Do you have any camping tips?
Here are a few ideas to keep your camping expenses to a minimum.

GEAR:

You can get by with a tent and tarp, sleeping bags, toiletries, clothing, a cooler for food/water and dinnerware, but you might want to consider additional items such as a cook stove or Dutch oven (for campfire cooking), sleeping pads, pillows or air mattresses, flashlights, first-aid kit and a plethora of items to make your trip more comfortable. Visit www.lovetheoutdoors.com/camping/checklists.htm for a handy camping checklist.

Check with the campground (don’t try primitive camping if you’re a novice) on their prices, availability (some accept reservations, while others are first-come, first served) and amenities. If you don’t own camping gear, see whether you can borrow any from friends or family, or possibly chip in together to buy gear and ask them to join you. Window shop at sporting-goods stores. Check prices and make a list of items you are interested in buying. Ask a salesperson for information and learn about the products you like and need. You can also check other sources such as Army surplus stores, garage sales, eBay Classifieds, Freecycle and thrift stores for equipment or consider renting equipment to try before you buy. Don’t forget to give new equipment a test run at home before your trip, and arrive at your destination before dusk to setup camp.

FOOD:

Prepare your food as much as possible ahead of time. For example, it’s easier to reheat pancakes you made at home than it is to make pancakes when camping. Foods such as fruit, raw vegetables, cereal, cookies, muffins, granola bars, nuts, crackers, instant oatmeal, popcorn, canned or instant soup, hot dogs and sandwiches are easy foods to pack. Remember you can bring along a skillet, and aluminum foil (foil-packet meals are tasty), and if you have electricity available, bring a slow cooker. Remember food safety. Put food away so it doesn’t attract animals. (In your car works best.) Keep your cooler packed with ice, be careful handling raw food, don’t keep hot foods out too long and keep your site clean. Check your local library or websites such as www.scoutorama.com/recipe for camping recipes, too.

Additional tips

– Have a separate cooler for drinks and snacks because they get opened more often. Water frozen in milk jugs works well for coolers.
– Large plastic bins help organize everything and give some protection from rain.
– Consider how you pack your vehicle. What will you need first?
– Remember to pack jackets, warmer clothing and a spare pair of shoes.
– Bring garbage bags. They’re helpful for dirty clothes, too.
– Pack cards, books or board games in case it rains.
– Hand sanitizer and toilet paper are your friends. Camping is the perfect time to use those free samples of shampoo, toothpaste, etc., too.
– Wear flip flops or water shoes for campground bathrooms and showers.
– Bring a dishpan or large pot for cleanup.
– Don’t forget bug spray and sunscreen.
– Have a good attitude and practice camping etiquette.

photo by vastateparksstaff

DEAR SARA:

I have many small bottles of hair conditioner, and I am sure they could be good for something. Since I do not use them on my hair, I would like to know how you suggest I should use them. — Myria, Florida

DEAR MYRIA:

They can make nice stocking stuffers or gift-basket add-ins. You can also use them for shaving, cleaning your tub or sink, as a cuticle softener or for makeup removal. Add water and conditioner to a spray bottle and use as a detangler or as a fabric softener. (Dampen a wash cloth with hair conditioner and water and toss into the dryer.) You can also donate them to homeless shelters and battered-women’s shelters.

DEAR SARA:

How do you keep cream cheese from molding? When I use half an 8-ounce package, I wrap the other half in plastic wrap, put it in a sealed plastic container and refrigerate it. Within a few days, it is moldy on the cut edge, under the plastic wrap. — Kathryn, e-mail

DEAR KATHRYN:

Opened cream cheese has a short shelf life. You might find that reduced-fat cream cheese has an even shorter shelf life due to the higher moisture content. Look for the smaller 2- to 3-ounce packages if you can’t consume the larger package before it molds. Make sure it’s stored at 40 F. Try to keep the foil wrapper to cover the unused portion. Tightly wrap it with plastic wrap, and place it back into its paper carton or in a plastic storage baggie with the air squeezed out. Sometimes cream cheese gets contaminated before it reaches an airtight container (for example, if it’s left out at room temperature too long before being refrigerated). It’s possible when you wrap it in plastic and place it into the second container, added moisture gets in, so it molds quickly. You can freeze your cream cheese, but the texture will change, so it’s not great to use as a spread but can still be used in cooking and baking.

DEAR SARA:

Many years ago, I used to make something called “Light and Fruity” pie. The recipe was on every box of Jell-O. The simple recipe consisted of a graham-cracker pie crust, Jell-O, Cool Whip, and lots of ice cubes. Do you remember the instructions for making the filling? I wonder if the same could be done with pudding. I shouldn’t have sugar and was going to try sugar-free Jell-O for this. — Wirth, e-mail

DEAR WIRTH:

Sounds like Light Cool ‘n Easy Pie.

2/3 cup boiling water
1 package (4-serving-size) Jell-O Cherry Flavor Sugar Free Gelatin (or any flavor)
ice cubes
1/2 cup cold water
1 tub (8 ounces) Cool Whip, sugar free, thawed, divided
1 ready-to-use reduced-fat graham cracker crumb crust

Stir boiling water into dry gelatin mix in a large bowl for at least 2 minutes until completely dissolved. Add enough ice to cold water to measure 1 cup. Add to gelatin; stir until slightly thickened. Remove any unmelted ice. Add 2 cups of the whipped topping; stir with wire whisk until well blended. Refrigerate 30 minutes or until mixture is very thick and will mound. Spoon into crust. Refrigerate 4 hours or until firm. Top with the remaining whipped topping just before serving. Store leftover pie in refrigerator. Garnish with assorted cut-up fresh fruit just before serving.
Reprinted with permission from: Kraft Foods (www.kraftrecipes.com).
There is a similar one for pudding called triple-layer chocolate pie, which I am sure you can make with fat-free or reduced-fat ingredients. Visit www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/triple-layer-chocolate-pie-51185.aspx for the recipe.

photo by janebelindasmith