backup and recovery

If you use Google then your contacts and emails would automatically be saved, your texts would not.

If you were to get a new phone on entering your Gmail email and password your contacts and emails would be restored.

This is to answer your most basic question, and totally ignores the other posters. I will try to delve into the roots of your issues here.

Most of us have anxiety of losing our minds. It is an irrational fear, and in modern, web 2.0 times, mostly affect those of us who really, REALLY feel that they need to stay connected. So, do not fear, I will rescue you, from your predicament.

1. Contacts - can be saved/backed-up via Google. Save your contacts as Google contacts. The next time you sync with your Google account, your contacts will be saved over. Btw, syncs also carry through bookmarks, calendar, contacts and... I forgot the last one.

2. Text messages - I do not sext, nor do I judge anyone who sext, so if you need a backup for your sexting pleasures, use this app:
http://www.androlib.com/android.application.tv-studer-smssync-jjD.aspx

I have downloaded 'Lookout' from the apps store.
Not only does it check for rogue apps and viruses, but you can set it up to update and store any part of your phone memory.
Photo's, Text, Contacts.
And also program when to do this.

You can also send a command to it to 'squeal' if lost, so you can find it.
If stolen you can 'kill' it. Or unkill (is that a word?) if found. 

Works for me.