File "save as" dialog in standard config is useless - how to see the full filesystem?

I have been annoyed many times that the "save as" dialog creates copies but doesn't let me immediately choose the folder I want to save the document in while creating useless copies of the doc. This applies to many Apple originated apps.

Just to weed out any doubts: I am a happy Apple user since OS 9, have made all the steps since X was introduced, have owned several NeXT computers, and do remember the time, when the file "save as" dialog in macOS was useful.

My work-around until now:

1. drag the icon of the file to the folder in the Finder
2. CMD-click in the dialog and then use "other" to navigate to the remote server, external disk or other folder I usually put files into.

But these workarounds are inefficient in comparison to what macOS offered was before, especially because I have to remove the previous files all the times and have found myself with working on a copy that had already been edited without noticing.

Is there any kind soul in this forum that has found out a suitable way (cheat, other software, hacks) to reinstate the "old-school" file dialog?