Ingredients:

• External USB/FireWire Drive(s)
• Super Duper!
  • creates easy cloned, bootable partitions
  • partitions selected via 'Option' key during booting
  • free version provides sufficient functionality
  • backup media can be cloned back to original drive, or accessed when mounted
• Time Machine
  • performs easy incremental, scheduled backups
  • backup media can be restored back to original drive, or accessed when mounted
• Time Machine Editor
  • provides better control over Time Machine scheduling

Optional:

• Leopard Install Discs
  • provides another emergency boot media
  • can provide OS X installation to original, new internal disc(s), partitions(s)