if your trying to save gas and save the clutch.... IMO just put it in neutral and then stop, and pop it back in gear to go again. at least thats what i always did.

 

Are these people trying to teach you how to autocross or something? You don't generally need to downshift and use engine braking to slow/stop.

KEEP IT SIMPLE. All you really need to do is push in the clutch and apply the brakes. This can stop you quickly in an emergency, without having to think about it. Shift the tranny into 1st to start off again.

If just slowing...Push in the clutch, apply the brakes, shift the tranny into the appropriate gear for your speed, and you can resume powering the wheels, when appropriate, by just easing off the clutch and easing onto the accelerator. The appropriate gear for 0MPH is typically 1st.

Now, you may save gas by downshifting and using engine braking, but that's more of an advanced/hypermiling technique. Get the basics down first and then learn the more advanced techniques of driving stick.

 

is staying in gear while you're braking too complicated? it seems pretty simple to me to stay in gear and clutch in only once you hit 1000 rpm or so. it's just as simple as what you said and it's the better way to do it.

and the complicated techniques were explained for other people who asked, not the op

 

Threshold braking (ABS ftl. I don't like my pedals to vibrate) and downshifting will stop you faster than braking alone every time. If you practice downshifting while braking, you can do it without thinking. That's not saying you have to go through every gear every time you stop, but it's always good to have practiced it to the point where you do it without thinking. I know hitting lower gears while braking has saved my a** more times than I can count.