TotM whenever possible. 

When I need a visual representation, I'll use whatever springs to hand.  Right now, that's usually Lego figs with appropriate weapons for the characters.  I have used beads, coins, pre-painted minis, paper minis, tokens, regular Lego blocks, dice of course, and a bunch of other things that I've forgotten.  I once used paper clips.  The board has been Dwarven Forge to drawn maps to pre-printed maps to dry erase to sanded wooden dungeon sections (out of old paneling) to a green table cloth thrown over some books to represent hills. 

In general, I prefer the more abstract representations, because I find with the players my games attract, it helps with imagination to not get to specific.  Painting and crafting terrain is completely out for me.  I get more paint and clue on me than I do the target. 

Mostly I use minis for wargaming, rather than RPGs. For RPGs I tend to go with TotM, but I might break out minis for a big battle with a lot of combatants (such that it edges into "wargame" territory).

I have 3D Minis, 2D Pawns, and I have played TotM.

At the very least, I like to have a physical representation of where everyone is.

Who is in front?
Who is in back?
Who is closest to the door?
Who is closest to the pool of water?
Is the Thief behind anyone or anything?
Etc.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cardboard_Heroes