I spent the better part of the last 5 years in your (OP) shoes. I travel a lot for work, make the money, Wife spends the Money, has really no appreciation for my sacrifices, nor is she able to Love me or show affection the way I wish to have it given. Her opinion of my input into my kids upbringing is low...thinks masculine input is unnecessary, dull, crude, whatever. LA LA LA... I agree with a lot HighSpeed says.
I tried the little hook up stuff you are trying... for years... girl at the office, bartender at the Holiday Inn, whatever. By and large its a Beta game, you will always be married to them and they always have that over you so unless can overcome that with game, or looks, or money....your really no where. Anyway. I can only offer what I came up with and share. It wasn't enough for me, and I just felt to guilty and fake and I guess that's a sure fire way not to get enough ASS on the road.
I finally decided to move toward separation. I read a few books on divorce and learned a lot about the process, my kids and the finances held me back at first, but there are positive ways to handle it. Adultery is illegal in my state and the penalties in custody and alimony are steep, deck stacked against us there. BE Careful know the laws. Do not move out of the house without a separation agreement or at least talking to an attorney first many states will nail you to the wall for abandonment.
I am a few months into separation, for me I just had to put the consequences behind me (kids, loosing 50%, etc.) and weigh it against living/dying a lonely, broken man with little to show for a life that was peddled away on...essentially a lie called my marriage. A few months in and I'm the best ME I've felt in 18 years!! This forum has helped and just realizing that the real me was still there, just hiding in a cave is reassuring. I'm 47, was married at 30, its hard to put that into perspective and not be really pissed at myself for letting that time slide. But that feeling does also reaffirm my decision, and helps me project positivity as I move on.
Its hard day to day, yes, the kids and the way they relate to you is not easy. BUT...every book I've read both my therapists, etc...say that the kid anxiety CAN be overcome. You have to shine forth with the positiveness you had trouble mustering while in the marriage and show love. Your kids will love you no matter what, just stay in their lives. among other things. My kids are going to lead their lives, period, with or without me, the quality and scope of that will shift with the choices we make.
You MUST read The Rational Male by Rommo Tomassi BEFORE you make a move. (I'm sure there are other books, too, but this for me described my exact situation note for note) If you still actually find your wife HOT enough to stay with... if only you could flip the script...lessons in this book may help you do that. I read it just a few weeks ago. Employing the knowledge gained here, I've been able to flip it on my Ex a bit. Her outlook on me has changed, she was pissed as hell for months, and was a real cvnt all the freakin time, and I was a chump about it, always sorta feeling guilty and just taking it, always kinda confused around her. Responding to her all the time ... emails, texts. She kept steam rolling me and making me feel like ****.
Now things are changing with me...I'm Alpha, I don't give a ****, I don't answer stupid questions anymore, I don't give her extra money out of guilt, I don't respond to emails, and all my texts are short. So this person is much more easy to deal with, now she is seeking me out for details, can actually have a conversation, etc. I'm no longer interested in her physically so its not like I'd reconcile with her, BUT I can see how one can use the RED PILL knowledge to flip your marriage around.
Hope some of this helps. Like I said, I can only give you what I have lived and I'm in the thick of it now.