ive been on a password jag lately. i used to use the same thing for everything, which, over time, is horrible.
i started using a site called Clipperz a while ago, and its totally changed the way i use passwords. it keeps basically a list of all my websites and passowrds for me, under a very secure password i chose.

i just stumbled over http://www.passwordmeter.com/ today via lifehacker. its a good way to check to see how your password checks out.