Three boring rules for backups

Every few months someone I know loses photos to a dead phone or a stolen laptop. My advice is always the same three boring rules.

One: if it exists in only one place, it doesn't exist. Two: one of the copies should be in a different building. Three: a backup you have never restored from is a hope, not a backup.

None of this needs to be expensive. An old drive at a relative's place and a calendar reminder to check it is already better than most people's setup.