diff --git a/teapot.py b/teapot.py
index cbd3547..269b251 100644
--- a/teapot.py
+++ b/teapot.py
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@
 from os.path import exists
 from pathlib import Path
 from pwd import getpwnam
+
 # from stat import S_IROTH, S_IRWXG, S_IRWXU, S_IXOTH
 from stat import S_IRGRP, S_IRWXO, S_IRWXU, S_IXGRP
 
@@ -123,8 +124,8 @@ async def lifespan(app: FastAPI):
 # os.chown commands.
 # those are using the bit patterns provided with the "stat" module as below,
 # combining them happens via bitwise OR
-# TO DO: find a way to not have to use rwx for others!
 STANDARD_MODE = S_IRWXU | S_IRGRP | S_IXGRP | S_IRWXO
+# STANDARD_MODE = S_IRWXU | S_IRWXG | S_IROTH | S_IXOTH
 # session state is kept in this global dict for each username as primary key
 # data stored within each subdict is
 # pid, port, created_at, last_accessed
@@ -245,7 +246,13 @@ async def _create_user_dirs(username):
     with open(f"{config_dir}/storage-areas", "r", encoding="utf-8") as storage_areas:
         for line in storage_areas:
             storage_area, path = line.split(" ")
-            path = os.path.expandvars(path)
+            # path = os.path.expandvars(path)
+            path_components = path.split("/")
+            # check for different paths in storage-areas that need to be
+            # corrected.
+            if path_components[0] == "$HOME":
+                path_components[0] = f"/home/{username}"
+            path = os.path.join(*path_components)
             sa_properties_path = f"{user_sa_d_dir}/{storage_area}.properties"
             if not exists(sa_properties_path):
                 with open(