Do not spend more than you can afford. Similar to cut your coat according to your cloth.
Strech out thine arme no farther then thy sleve wyll retche.
[1541 M. Coverdale tr. H. Bullinger's Christian State of Matrimony xix.]
Stretch your arme no further than your sleeve will reach.
[1639 J. Clarke Parœmiologia Anglo-Latina 211]
Put your Hand no farther than your Sleeve will reach. That is, spend no more than your Estate will bear.
[1721 J. Kelly Scottish Proverbs 277]
It would leave me short of working capital, and‥I mustn't stretch my arm further than th'coat-sleeve will reach.
[1881 W. Westall Old Factory II. ii.]
Related to: circumstances; poverty; prudence
Bibliography of major proverb collections and works cited from modern editions is available here.
