Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net Earnings	$ 120,666	$ 173,043	$ 113,767
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Earnings to Net Cash From Operating Activities:
Depreciation of Lease Merchandise	628,089	601,552	547,839
Other Depreciation and Amortization	57,016	56,783	52,832
Bad Debt Expense	35,894	31,842	25,402
Stock-Based Compensation	2,342	6,454	8,385
Loss (Gain) on Sale of Property, Plant, and Equipment and Assets Held for Sale	613	(397)	1,172
Gain on Asset Dispositions	(705)	(265)	(3,045)
Deferred Income Taxes	(36,763)	(23,241)	59,449
Excess Tax Benefits From Stock-Based Compensation	(1,381)	(5,967)	(1,264)
Other Changes, Net	5,469	7,830	(1,693)
Changes in Operating Assets and Liabilities, Net of Effects of Acquisitions and Dispositions:
Additions to Lease Merchandise	(964,072)	(1,162,703)	(1,024,602)
Book Value of Lease Merchandise Sold or Disposed	425,673	469,897	433,433
Accounts Receivable	(30,419)	(18,528)	(43,211)
Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets	(1,349)	(9,263)	(4,317)
Income Tax Receivable	22,688	(22,379)	79,762
Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses	16,893	(4,635)	18,885
Accrued Litigation Expense	28,400	(41,720)	40,043
Customer Deposits and Advance Payments	(617)	1,451	4,358
Cash Provided by Operating Activities	308,437	59,754	307,195
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchase of Investments	(74,845)	(91,000)	(100,513)
Proceeds from Maturities and Calls of Investments	47,930	102,118	1,063
Additions to Property, Plant and Equipment	(58,145)	(65,073)	(78,211)
Acquisitions of Businesses and Contracts	(10,898)	(30,799)	(32,176)
Proceeds from Dispositions of Businesses and Contracts	2,163	1,999	7,282
Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant, and Equipment	6,841	6,790	11,481
Cash Used by Investing Activities	(86,954)	(75,965)	(191,074)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from Credit Facilities	2,598	16,258	129,150
Repayments on Credit Facilities	(4,954)	(28,519)	(17,151)
Acquisition of Treasury Stock	(125,000)	(34,131)	(127,193)
Dividends Paid	(3,875)	(5,843)	(4,073)
Excess Tax Benefits From Stock-Based Compensation	1,381	5,967	1,264
Issuance of Stock Under Stock Option Plans	9,924	15,756	6,117
Cash Used by Financing Activities	(119,926)	(30,512)	(11,886)
Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents	101,557	(46,723)	104,235
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year	129,534	176,257	72,022
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Year	231,091	129,534	176,257
Cash Paid During the Year:
Interest	5,614	6,498	3,983
Income Taxes	$ 54,027	$ 145,370	$ 10,991