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I have found two similar sayings in English which say: undertake only what you have the money or ability to do and no more. But apparantly they work only in British English, whilst I need something more epidemic and in common use in both Americans and Britons.

  • Cut your coat according to your cloth. (UK)
  • As long as your blanket you may stretch. (Perhaps a translation from another language)

What do the Americans say in the same sense? What is the most common way yo say it in both AmE and BrE?

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  • Never heard either saying, so both are probably obsolete.
    – James K
    Apr 28, 2019 at 17:19
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    "Cut your coat according to your cloth" is very common in the UK, and not at all obsolete.
    – Michael Harvey
    Apr 28, 2019 at 17:30
  • I can't see why undertake only what you have the money or ability to do and no more would make any less sense in US English than in UK English. Why do you need to use something different than that?
    – Jason Bassford
    Apr 28, 2019 at 17:45

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I would suggest: "living within your means"

live within (one's) means

To go through each day, week, month, etc., without exceeding one's budget or without going into debt.

TFD

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