Contacts backup in my Galaxy Note 4

>> the last time I formatted my phone I lost quite a few contacts for some reason.

Not sure what is the frequency of your backup configured but it if it is real time, you shouldn't have lost those contacts in the first place.

>>  So if some one can give a couple of options to back up hopefully everything on my phone specifically the CONTACTS that would be great.

Since you are manually doing the format of your phone, before doing it you can do the below things..
1. Sync the contacts to Google once if you don't have real time sync for Google contacts.
2. Export all contacts to CSV or virtual name card before your format and them import it as required..

""1.Sync the contacts to Google once if you don't have real time sync for Google contacts.""

How do I accomplish the above suggestion?

Sure, in your mobile, Go to Settings -> Accounts -> Sync -> Google -> Contacts and ensure that your contacts are synced recently. If the Last synced date is very old, then double click on the Contacts to sync it now which will ensure that all recent contacts are updated in Google.
hope this helps..

Thank you Raja. One Thing , Will I be able to verify that the contacts have been synced on my PC? If so how do I do that?

Thank you.

How many contacts you have?

~100

Let me look into the Kies. Thanks

Thank you my friend.

Welcome..