PHOENIX -- With many people looking for ways to stay out of debt through the recession, rent-to-own companies have seen business take off.

According to Frank Montijo, an assistant register manager at rent-to-own company Aaron's, business has boomed for the past two months.

At Aaron's, customers decide upon a payment plan that lasts up to 24 months.

"We want to assist them to ownership," Montijo said. "We want to do everything we can to have them own that product at the end of the term."

Tim James with the W.P. Carey School of Business said it's not surprising that more people are renting-to-own -- often, there's no other alternative.

Nevertheless, James said customers will probably end up paying more for the item.

"You then have to … accept that you will probably pay more than you would if you bought the thing outright or if you were able to get a loan on better terms," he said.

For example, a laptop computer may cost $1,300 if paid for outright; on a 12-month payment plan with fees, the same laptop could cost more than $1,800.

Aaron's customer Francis Frey said his family bought a whole living room set from the store after it lost everything in a house fire.

"It seemed kind of expensive," Frey said, "but it was easy and convenient."

James, however, said the rent-to-own idea is one that could be used to help cut down the Valley's glut of homes.

"I actually think rent-to-own or leasing-to-own a home is a good model to follow," he said. "It may be something we ought to think about seriously here."