Elf Witch, I want to know why are all of the careful, studious players in YOUR group, and WHY have you been hoarding them!
With a couple of exceptions, most of the time my group throws caution to the wind, they jump into the umber hulk fight with a toothpick, they fire-bomb the cultists' cars instead of trailing them, they take on the waaay-more-powerful-than-them Dragon, and they open 5 dungeon doors at a time to get the monsters in a "train" to attack them all at once! I wouldn't mind a little more forethought and planning in my group, whereas it sounds like your group takes it to heart a little TOO much.
In the end, neither is the best way, but a middle road is preferable. However, you're on track to the cardinal rule:
If it isn't FUN, then it's not worth it. I'm glad to hear you found the secret kick in the pants to get the magic back.