I can't count the times system restore has provided a quick and simple way to fix my system. Although I also do a complete system back up every other day. Many times, system restore is simply faster and more convenient to use, and it usually works very well. So turning it off is a very foolish idea imo. If you are concerned about the amount of disk space it uses up, that can easily be set to any amount of space you want, provided you at least give system restore the minimum amount of space it needs. Don't recall what the minimum is, but I think 3 GB is a reasonable number to allocate to it, although I allocate more space than that to it because I have found it so useful. But each to their own.
Also, doing backups only once a month is an inadequate frequency, imo. But again, each to their own.
However, this is most definitely not "safe computing."
I bet next you're going to say you don't use an anti virus program.
I use R-Drive Image which takes approx 40 mins to create a backup image of my Windows 7 system. Before creating the image I run chkdsk, then run a defrag, then scan my system using NOD32 anti-virus. After the image has been created I run verification sotware to ensure there are no errors on it. I store the image on a 500GB Seagate external USB drive, not on my Windows system drive, so that in the event my Windows 7 system goes down I simply insert the R-Drive Image boot CD and restore Windows 7 from the USB drive. That image has been tried and tested and is all I need for a system backup.
My bookmarks, passwords, emails, and all my software programs, are also backed-up on to the external Seagate USB drive, I do this about once a week, it only takes a few minutes.
I've used this method for years and I'm quite comfortable with it, doing a complete restoration of my Windows system drive then installing my software programs, drivers etc takes approx 60 mins.
I agree, using system restore is fine for a quick-fix solution, but useless if your hard drive fails.
As to what you consider "safe computing" is purely subjective, you choose to back-up every other day and I choose to back-up weekly, you like using system restore and I choose not to use it ... doh!
Get over yourself.