diff --git a/ttbp/core.py b/ttbp/core.py
index b113edc..d2b092a 100644
--- a/ttbp/core.py
+++ b/ttbp/core.py
@@ -259,6 +259,7 @@ def write_global_feed(blogList):
 """)
 
     outfile.close()
+    subprocess.call(['chmod', 'a+w', FEED])
 
 ## misc helpers
 
diff --git a/ttbp/ttbp.py b/ttbp/ttbp.py
index 271b355..b7950e8 100644
--- a/ttbp/ttbp.py
+++ b/ttbp/ttbp.py
@@ -269,6 +269,8 @@ press <enter> to begin, or <ctrl-c> to get out of here.
     users.write(config.USER+"\n")
     users.close()
 
+    subprocess.call(['chmod', 'a+w', config.USERFILE])
+
     ## make .ttbp directory structure
     subprocess.call(["mkdir", config.PATH])
     subprocess.call(["mkdir", config.USER_CONFIG])