New York is the temptation capital of the world. Besides, everyone else is doing it. Those who can make a budget and stick to it, bully for them. But Christina's cry for help proves that she can't take the usual balancing route. She needs to go commando and strip herself of all but necessary spending.
Most spending is completely voluntary.
Christina must start with the mental attitude that she will spend absolutely nothing . Like a recovering alcoholic, she must take it one day at a time. Her goal is not long-term. The buildup of her bank account, just like improvement of the liver, will take care of itself if she brakes all spending patterns. I mean just that.