brent I would recommend deja dup. Just back up to a USB stick with enough space, exclude folders that have crap that doesn't need to be backed up (/Downloads is ignored by default, sometimes game folders are a good idea to add?).
I have been doing this as I dostro hopped and found it to help me relatively retain my sanity. Ymmv.
So to be clear.
1 install deja dup.
2 backup to USB (or smb://? Nfs://? Whatever)
3 reinstall (swap hard drives so if fubar, you can hop back, but do what you will)
4 restore using deja dup to "original location" or what have you. Obviously install deja dup on your fresh install.
Hope this helps