Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[learner12]

Hello, teachers!!

In the first paragraph of the below address, you can read the following sentences.

I cannot understand "stretch yourself," but I know the word "stretch." However, if I put the meaning of stretch into the sentence, I am not sure. In my opinion and the context, I think that "stretch yourself" means "increase your budget."

Could you explain it to me?

Thank you in advance.
----->
http://www.bankrate.com/brm/news/mtg/20020228a.asp

Lenders and real estate agents often will tell you to stretch yourself when you buy a house. "Buy all the house you can afford!" they'll say. "Borrow to the limit!"

It's bad advice, and you should ignore it, financial experts say.

[pugachevV]

It means borrow all the money you can and buy the most expensive house you can with the borrowed money.
As it says - it is bad advice.

[learner12]

Dear pugachevV:

Thank you so much for your great explanations.

Don't make yourself house poor, do you?

Take care and have a nice day!!