Share your "~" directory backup plan

Hey guys

 I am currently on arch linux. Was wondering what ideas you guys have to backup your user home directory. 

I have it copied on an external but wondering if you guys use a cron or rsync or any little trick that can be useful in case there is hardware failure and you need to spin up a brand new install.

What else do i need to back other than the users home directory.

Need not be Arch specific. But GNU/Linux in general.