Depends on the type you are flying.
On something like a Metro, you had a switch which you could select NAV lights (ground operations, night) and Nav and strobe (all operations once entering a runway).
So you had no choice. Once you turned the strobe lights on, the NAV lights were selected by default.
Personally I think if an operator (or individual) is worried about replacing a few globes, they can stick it where the sun don't shine. I'll have everything turned on whatever time of day especially in CTAFs. Those strobes or NAV lights could be the difference between some one seeing you from above or not on decent. We all know what happened when a 727 mowed down a 172 in the US that time.......