diff --git a/lisp/mitch-packages.el b/lisp/mitch-packages.el
index d646309..7f13374 100644
--- a/lisp/mitch-packages.el
+++ b/lisp/mitch-packages.el
@@ -20,6 +20,8 @@
   (global-prettify-symbols-mode 1)
   (auto-insert-mode))
 
+(use-package no-littering) ;a good start, but we need more
+
 (use-package epg
   :elpaca nil
   :after tramp
@@ -33,8 +35,9 @@
 (use-package savehist
   :elpaca nil
   :init (savehist-mode)
-  :custom (savehist-file
-	   (expand-file-name "minibuffer-history" backup-directory)))
+  ;; :custom (savehist-file ; taken care of by `no-littering'
+  ;; 	   (expand-file-name "minibuffer-history" backup-directory))
+  )
 
 ;; save place in all files
 (use-package saveplace