Saving your brakes is fine, but they are a "wear item" and are easy to replace when compared to a clutch, drive shaft or tranny. Are you overshifting?
The local logic is "stab braking" works and it does. Years ago someone "influenced" the industry into thinking that steady pressure was best, its not.
The best thing is get slowed down before the hill {remove foot from accelerator pedal}

Your supposed to use that pedal on the left?!?!?!

left pedal
 

No that pedel is called the chlutch. LOL I use my jakes when needed that extra stopping power. But I have no problem using my breaks. We were all young drivers once and done the samething that we're talking about. But we all fixed it sooner or later.

Slider

http://www.layover.com/driverscorner/lonelyknight/
Check this link out, about downshifting, and braking, and all that good stuff. I stumbled across it about 3 years ago while checking that site out, and to be honest will never use another technique. If you can apply that technique of driving to everyday conditions, you'll feel like you're in much more control of the truck, and i use that system while using my Jake, and i was amazed how well it worked. Might take a little while to get used to, but once you do you'll be happy. Hope it helps, i know i'm glad i picked up on it.

I know it's a long story, but pay attention to the first 2 paragraphs, good information.

"Years ago someone "influenced" the industry into thinking that steady pressure was best"

I believe this was meant for steep grades, not off ramps.

I taught myself to do this a couple of years ago. It took probably a couple months to get used to, then another few months to master, but it's a tremendous advantage to be able to use both feet for slowing instead of only using the right foot for everything. It's similar to heal-and-toe used by race car drivers, but not as complicated since down-shift clutching in a truck is largly unnecesary, as opposed to the high-speed downshifting in a race car. Engine braking can help, but it's still unnecessary except in the mountains. Honestly, I just don't like to listen to the engine brake so I rarely use it.

I would guess you are floating your gears with this method?

Yes. Couldn't imagine doing it while trying to double-clutch.

yeah, i don't double clutch, so this method is what works good for me, i've just gotten in the habit of doing it, and it works for me, so i wouldn't do it any other way. I just thought it might be a good bit of advice for new drivers, but i know some people have a tough time not double clutching, and getting the hang of floating the gears.