Shimano cleats - anyone else do this?

Don't confuse wearing down the coloured bit of a shimano cleat with wearing down the bit that engages the pedal.  Though it is a useful skill being able to unclip with either foot, or even both together as situations dictate.

Is this an problem specific to Shimano?  This was an issue for me when I first switched to road pedals (Look Keo), severely ground down the left side cleat within a month as I'd become used to using my shoe to slow down along the kerb when stopping at junctions.  Once I realised that, and stopped doing it, I haven't had to replace them since.  They still wear a bit more than the right side cleat, but not so much that it's an issue.  I don't think a slightly worn cleat is a problem as long as it still locks in firmly.

I purposely try rotate removing each foot now and again to try and keep the ware even on each cleat.

I remove the knackered one, replace it with the one from the other shoe, then put a new one on the shoe that had the less knackered one on it. It saves a lot of money over the year.