Episode•October 31, 2019•22 min

Minimalism and Money with Shani St. Vil | Ep. 16

Let's talk about minimalism. Join Tiffany and Shani as they unpack what minimalism is and strategies they use to save money. These ladies dropped so many gems during this episode. Be sure you have a pen and paper ready! About our Guest Shani St. Vill is a boss babe that assists her clients in managing their money so they can buy more real estate! Like her on Facebook: www.facebook.com/purseempowerment Follow her on Twitter: www.twitter.com/purseempowerment Follow her on Instagram: www.instagram.com/purseempowerment Links Shani's site: www.purseempowerment.com Connect with Tiffany on Social Media Facebook: Money Talk With Tiff Twitter: @moneytalkwitht Instagram: @moneytalkwitht LinkedIn: Tiffany Grant YouTube: Money Talk With Tiff Channel Pinterest: Money Talk With Tiff This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy

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Key Takeaways

1
Minimalism is about intentional spending on what you deeply value rather than extreme deprivation
Focus on minimizing expenses that don't align with your priorities to free up money for opportunities
Short-term sacrifice leads to long-term financial freedom and control over your time
Reallocate funds from non-essential spending to debt payoff, investing, or business growth
2
Don't buy the most expensive house or car you qualify for - minimize lifestyle to build wealth
Shani bought an $80K house (now worth $280K) instead of maxing out their qualification amount
Avoid lifestyle inflation - keep expenses stable as income grows to accelerate wealth building
Tiffany sold her 2016 Honda CR-V with $400/month payment for a paid-off 2010 Mazda CX-7
3
Budgeting is about permission and reallocation, not deprivation
Track actual spending vs. estimated spending to identify waste (national average eating out: $350/month)
Redirect unnecessary expenses toward goals like homeownership, debt payoff, or business funding
A budget gives you permission to spend on what matters while cutting what doesn't
4
Redefine luxury around freedom and presence rather than material possessions
True luxury: being able to attend parent meetings without asking for time off, controlling your schedule
Shani drives a 2006 GX470 with no car payment instead of financing a new luxury vehicle
Buy luxuries with profits from investments, not from regular paychecks
5
Be willing to go against the grain and face judgment to achieve financial freedom
People may call you cheap or broke - develop thick skin and focus on your goals
Shani skipped birthday parties and girl trips for years while paying off her mortgage
Now debt-free, she enjoys more freedom including trips to Jamaica with friends

Intro

Tiffany Grant welcomes Shani Curry-St. Vil (Purse Empowerment) to discuss minimalism as a money-saving strategy and path to financial freedom.
Shani St. Vil is a financial coach who helps clients manage money to purchase more real estate. She paid off her home before age 40 and now owns four properties with her husband.

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– What Minimalism Really Means

Shani defines minimalism as minimizing expenses on things you don't deeply value so you can focus spending on what matters most.

A minimalist approach is really making sure that when you decide to swipe that card, that it's for something that you deeply value so that you can minimize wasting your budget.
– Shani

This creates opportunity funds beyond just emergency savings - money available when business or investment opportunities arise.

– Minimalism in Practice: TV, Movies, and Daily Choices

Shani doesn't have cable or a TV - only basic Netflix. She watches maybe once a month. She skips family movie outings but finds other ways to spend quality time.

She doesn't own a microwave and prefers not to reheat food. These choices eliminate multiple recurring expenses from her budget.

– Don't Max Out Your House or Student Loans

Just because you're approved for $350K doesn't mean you should buy a $350K house. Shani's family bought an $80K property seven years ago, now worth $280K - building significant equity.

Short-term sacrifice for long-term gain.
– Tiffany

Tiffany applies the same principle to student loans: take only what you need, not the maximum offered.

– Dealing with Judgment and Social Pressure

During her debt payoff journey, Shani declined birthday parties and girl trips. Friends eventually stopped inviting her because they knew her priorities.

People will name call, they'll call you cheap, they'll call you broke, they'll make all type of assumptions.
– Shani

She and her husband would share restaurant meals to cut costs - sometimes drawing judgment from others, but she stayed focused on the goal.

– Reallocation Over Sacrifice

Shani's children don't wear Jordans or designer clothes, but they have access to karate, STEM programs, and foreign language courses - reallocating funds to high-value experiences.

Another takeaway word would be reallocation, right? Reallocation of funds, doing the actual budget, looking at your budget and just kind of seeing like the waste inside of your budget.
– Shani

Track every debit to reveal true spending - many underestimate eating out costs, which average $350/month nationally.

– Rethinking Luxury and Transportation

Shani drives a 2006 GX470 with no car payment. She considers luxury to be freedom - attending parent meetings without requesting time off, being present for her children.

Luxury to me is being able to sit through this morning. There was a parent meeting. I didn't have to worry about asking someone, hey, can I take off the work?
– Shani

Tiffany sold her financed 2016 Honda CR-V ($400/month payment) for a paid-off 2010 Mazda CX-7, dramatically reducing her monthly expenses.

– Money Crushes: Splurging with Profits, Not Paychecks

Shani identifies non-negotiables (hair, nails) and money crushes (Lexus vehicles, room service, spa treatments) that she funds from investment profits, not regular income.

Stop buying your luxury with your paychecks and start buying your luxuries with your profits.
– Shani

If selling a property yields $100K profit, she wouldn't spend $39K on a new car - she'd look for a pre-owned option around $15-20K to maintain sensibility.