Speaking as a humble home user
So take this fwiw.
I split backup into two main areas. There is backup of the system (os) and there is backup of data. I always put my system on C: and Data on D: drives. That I have done for years, even on old laptops with one small drive.
System backup is achieve by imaging with programs such as True Image, Paragon, Macrium Reflect, DriveImage XML, and my current favourite - an old copy os Easus ToDo (3.5) - it is much better than version 4. Sad to see them stopping the free versions, but this seems to keep on working. It's fast, has the features I need and is proven to restore systems via bootable Live CD. On more than one occasion.
Data backup is achieved either by imaging again, if it is what I call a milestone event - say getting ready to put in a new hd or when the system reaches end of life. But this has drawbacks for data - much better to just do a standard copy - this way there is no need for requisite installed programs to 'read' the data, so it travels well, and there is no need to take the time to mount a disk.
Lately I have been getting into virtualisation, and though it does take a while to get your head around, it has obvious benefits relating to backing up. Backing up the Virtual Machines themselves though is a bit of a nightmare I have found, at least with my VM of choice - VirtualBox, but it is possible to grow and shrink disks and copy them, as well as clone them, with a bit of effort. This is one area, even as a humble home user that is going to be getting a lot more attention from me. VMs are the way forward.
So, backing up the system is fairly trivial, and as long as you are dilligent with the data side of things, there should not be too many tears in a crisis. I don't have an automated or scripted plan. This is sorely lacking and irresponsible on my part. The data that I do is priceless. In a day or two between backing up (or weeks sometimes), I generate a massive amount of unique irreplaceable data - artwork and music. Stuff that once gone is gone forever. I have a strange relationship with it - I love my work as some love children. Yet I risk losing significant amounts of it by not having a system in place. I know this risk and accept it. I also plan to change it when my head is not so frazzled with it all and I can devote some time to a strategy that works for me.
I also am too poor to be able to afford hard disks to back the stuff up. I have stuff backed up to just one disk, which is not a backup by any means. I have a lot of stuff mirrored on two disks, but not everything. This I aim to rectify soon as well. I have spent far too much money on software and supporting developers - very often giving donations where possible.
I am not as irresponsible and reckless as a lot of people that I do computer stuff for though. I mention backup to them and they just see it as another thing they have to shell out for or spend time on. I explain to them in the simplest terms, but to no avail. I rarely labor the point these days with them.
Anyway, just a little insight into the habits of a home user.