Married guys - car budgets and honesty

I have a separate checking/savings account now. I pay my portion of the bills first and what I sock away I think of as my 'allowance'...free to save or spend as I wish. I'm not a big spender and in past years have had virtually little or nothing to spend. Since getting my new job, things are a little better....
Go ahead and let her give you the $$ for the machine shop, but insist you 'pay her back'...that way, she won't be holding it over your head like the sword od Damocles for the next 25 years.
I understand, home & family are priority, but so are you. Otherwise, why are you getting up every morning and going to work?