If I tar my /home/username and create the .tar file in /home/username, then I get an error of the sort . file changed as we read it probably because the directory file itself is changing due to the creation of the .tar file. Of course I could have the file created one level up in /home but that would require sudo or a login. I want to archive and restore without sudo and a re-login.

I don't want to nest the .tar file deep somewhere in /home/username that is less convenient and I suspect that might not even solve the problem.