I have a server in ubuntu that is setup how I want it to be but it is a development server so I only need to have it running once every few weeks to test something.
I thought I could just boot up a limode when needed but I dopn;t want to pay for a daily backup.
What is the best way to image the disk as it is right now and then restore from that when needed?

Why not just back it up locally?

mount /dev/sdc /mnt/my-backup
cp -a /etc/* /mnt/my-backup
umount /dev/sdc

Then transfer it to your home machine and whatever media you want?

does that include all the programs and stuff that is installed in lib and usr?