Setting: 4 way intersection controlled by lights, with specific left turn split lane for just the main road.

Me: When turning left and I don't have a green arrow, so I have to yield on coming traffic, I'll creep into the intersection to make my left turn at the first chance.

Wife: Remains outside the intersection because she does not have the green arrow. Yet when there's time/space to make a left shes goes.

Issue: When I've creeped into the intersection, sometimes my green light goes yellow, then red. Since I'm already in the intersection this gives me the last opportunity to go since oncoming traffic has stopped, but traffic from the other road is getting ready to go.

My wife says what I do is wrong and dangerous, but that's how I was taught in drivers ed.

AITAH here for my left turns?