I drive a stick shift and I would bet that at least half of my braking is engine braking. It's pretty much my default behavior if I want to slightly slow down to downshift and then immediately shift back.

With an ICE, I have no idea whether the wear and tear you avoid on the brakes is offset by the strain you put on the engine or if it saves or wastes gas. Don't know don't care. I just do it because I am Walter Mitty.