save backups necessary?

Take a look at this thread:

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/251222368

I do not use Time Machine because i prefer to be in charge of what is kept for how long and when it gets backed up.

I use external bootable clones (two of each OS version I am running) and several copy/paste copies of my most important folder which contains all of my data, pics, etc. That gives me complete control and since I have five copies of it, I am quite sure that I will not lose anything if disaster strikes.

FWIW, I have never needed anything that I did not have in that one folder.

There’s no need to delete older backups: TimeMachine automatically deletes the oldest backups if space is needed

Depends if there is anything in those older backups that you want to keep.

I use the same method of backing up. It serves me very well. Plus, I am backed up to the minute.

I could not do without my clones - they've saved the day several times when things went haywire! And in one case, nothing worked except the clone.

I do not. I have the current backup and that is it. In more than 20 years, I have never needed more than that except for the files for movie projects which are archived on a separate disk.