@tomaswv
Never be embarrassed by striving to be a good husband. I assume you married her because you love her. She’s more important than your stereo, car, and any bigmouth friends you may have.
Both of you work hard to create win/win outcomes, it’s time and effort well spent. If one of you has to lose for the other to win- it’s a fool’s errand. Any contrary idea is hogwash when applied to a long term relationship, be it marriage, business, or whatever.
If you have friends that always whine about their wives and brag about ‘putting their foot down and showing her who’s boss’, change your friends.
There are many moving parts to this, but you two can sort it out. Congrats on your new house!