Ah!! Okay. "Make the numbers work" also doesn't necessarily have a negative, fraudulent connotation. It can also just mean " we are trying to figure out how to make this financially possible. It is used a lot in business --in terms of not closing down a business, giving someone a raise, or launching a new project. It can also be used a lot in terms of household finances --" I really want to send Jenny to summer school... We're just trying to make the numbers work". So in your case, she is trying to figure out a way that her boyfriend can continue to be an actor and if film maker, which he is passionate about, and still be financially okay as a couple.

I think this is context dependent.... But I have mainly heard this in terms of 'fixing the books' or lying about Financial data of a business. I think it could also work, with the same meaning, in an academic or also business analytics context -- 'fixing the data'.

Make the numbers work refers to having some transaction come out the way YOU would like it to. Example) Say you wanted to rent an apartment that costs $700 a month... but you only make $750 a month. Those numbers DON'T WORK because you would only have $50 to last you the whole month after you pay rent! One way to "Make the Numbers Work" is to get a room-mate. Now you SPLIT the rent and its $350 each, leaving you $400 left for food, gas, insurance, car fare, entertainment, etc. So... by getting a room-mate you MADE THE NUMBERS WORK! Get it?

It means "to make sure that one does not spend too much money and to stay on budget." In other words, be wise about balancing your checkbook.