Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net Earnings	$ 292,536	$ 139,283	$ 135,709
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Earnings to Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities:
Depreciation of Lease Merchandise	1,448,631	1,304,295	1,212,644
Other Depreciation and Amortization	82,572	82,378	80,203
Accounts Receivable Provision	203,389	167,923	163,111
Provision for Credit Losses on Loans Receivable	20,973	11,251	937
Stock-Based Compensation	27,400	21,470	14,163
Deferred Income Taxes	(59,201)	(35,162)	38,970
Other Changes, Net	(3,964)	(2,751)	(4,467)
Changes in Operating Assets and Liabilities, Net of Effects of Acquisitions and Dispositions:
Additions to Lease Merchandise	(1,976,012)	(1,615,064)	(1,775,479)
Book Value of Lease Merchandise Sold or Disposed	415,607	433,464	510,657
Accounts Receivable	(208,947)	(149,826)	(173,159)
Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets	2,711	1,229	(35,649)
Income Tax Receivable	(88,139)	167,290	(54,351)
Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses	(2,736)	(49,186)	69,218
Accrued Litigation Expense	1,314	(4,737)	(22,463)
Customer Deposits and Advance Payments	3,001	(4,621)	7,508
Cash Provided by Operating Activities	159,135	467,236	167,552
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Investments in Loans Receivable	(77,951)	(72,897)	(11,700)
Proceeds from Loans Receivable	59,641	64,739	15,211
Proceeds from Investments	2,658	0	0
Outflows on Purchases of Property, Plant & Equipment	(57,973)	(57,453)	(60,557)
Proceeds from Property, Plant, and Equipment	12,705	19,393	7,515
Outflows on Acquisitions of Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired	(145,558)	(9,762)	(73,295)
Proceeds from Dispositions of Businesses, Net of Cash Disposed	1,141	35,899	13,976
Cash Used in Investing Activities	(205,337)	(20,081)	(108,850)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from Debt	27,875	98,928	290,090
Repayments on Debt	(162,910)	(208,607)	(330,747)
Acquisition of Treasury Stock	(62,550)	(34,525)	0
Dividends Paid	(7,962)	(7,420)	(6,822)
Issuance of Stock Under Stock Option Plans	3,457	550	1,038
Shares Withheld for Tax Payments	(6,177)	(2,457)	(443)
Debt Issuance Costs	(3,130)	(132)	(425)
Cash Used in Financing Activities	(211,397)	(153,663)	(47,309)
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	75	127	0
(Decrease) Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents	(257,524)	293,619	11,393
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year	308,561	14,942	3,549
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Year	51,037	308,561	14,942
Net Cash Paid (Received) During the Year:
Interest	20,492	22,511	23,405
Income Taxes	$ 98,296	$ (54,258)	$ 91,720