Interesting contingency plans! Well, except for drinking a quart of cyanide. That sounds unpleasant...
I applied to 7 and have 1 left to submit for PhD programs for Fall. I'm currently in a Master's program and taking nearly double full-time credits (11 this semester) so I can take final thesis in the summer and graduate in August, before I - hopefully- start in a PhD.
If rejected across the board, I'll try to work or do an internship in the summer (and take a breather!), do the thesis in Fall 2013, and reapply to PhD programs for Fall 2014. Would try to work Spring and Summer 2014.
Further contingency- for Fall 2013, also get a 200 hr yoga teacher certificate and plan to teach yoga. Nice thing about that is it can be done around other schedules in the "in between" times to fill in, earn some money, and do some good in the world while de-stressing.
Might also take the GREs again, since my scores were ok, but not great. V 160, Q 150, AW 4.5. The scores are in line with admissions statistics for my intended PhD program, so I don't technically need to retake it, but I know I can do better. Increased chance of funding would also be nice.
Last, if rejected by all 8, I could research recipes high and low and write a fabulous book on Ramen. I would call it the Ramenomicon: A Cornucopia of Easy, Nutritious Recipes for College Students Living on the Cheap, complete with complimentary coupons for a few key ingredients, like Sriracha and frozen peas.