While addressing the Junior Achievers club at Springfield Elemantary, Mr. Burns learns from Lisa that, according to his autobiography, he is not worth as much money as he thinks he is. Smithers, his lawyers, and his accountants confirm that his holdings have depreciated in value considerably. Unwisely, he invests the rest of his money in archaic companies and loses everything. Penniless, Burns moves in with Smithers.

One day while Burns is shopping, two grocery clerks catch him muttering to himself and commit him to the Springfield Retiremen Castle. Disgusted by his surroundings, he vows to regain his fortune. When Lisa goes to the home to collect recyclables, Mr. Burns recalls her contrary nature towards him. He realizes that he lost his fortune by surrounding himself with "yes men." He asks Lisa to help him get his fortune back.

Lisa introduces Burns to recycling. Soon Burns has enough money to build his own recycling plant. He names it after Lisa and gives her the first tour. With pride, he shows her how he catches aquatic life and "recycles" it into and all-purpose "goo." Lisa is horrified. When Burns regains his fortune, he buys back the power plant. He pays Lisa her share of his profits, but she rips up the check, giving Homer a multiple heart attack.