Probably a bad question for the net, but I really need to strengthen my neck and upper body.  My neck is my biggest problem for pain and tension.  Without belonging to a gym (can't afford it), how can I strengthen it?  Any particular exercises that work well without putting a lot of undue strain on it?  I need to start out easy.  

Thanks!

Hang 20 lb weights off your head and lift it up and down?

You can strengthen your neck muscles (posterior) by doing one of those back strengthening exercises. You lay flat on your stomach with your arms stretched out like Superman. Now try to make a letter 'c' by arching your back and bringing your arms and legs toward the ceiling. You do this while keeping your arms and legs straight.

I hope you can visualize what I'm talking about. It's a pretty common back exercise. It works the muscles on the back of your neck at the same time. I don't know how to work out the other neck muscles without using those neck machines in the gym.

Okay, thanks.  Sounds a little better than hanging weights off my neck

You can go to jail be somebody's bitch for 30 days ... that might do it ...

Quoted: Okay, thanks.  Sounds a little better than hanging weights off my neck

You can always hang them off your ears.

Shoulder crunches.

Hold a 10 lb or less weight in each hand with your feet directly under each each shoulder.
Keep you back comfortably straight.

Shrug/lift your shoulders upwards towards your ears slowly as far as you can/ Hold for three seconds. Slowly release.

Do 10 sets of 5 every other day for 3 weeks.

Bridging.