CL is your friend, as others have said. We have no method of heating other than wood since we pulled the old boiler/air handler out last year so I process all of our firewood. I've never paid for wood, either. Other folks are always willing to give it away for free for one reason or another as long as you provide the labor of cutting/removing from their property.
Keep your eyes on local forums, CL, etc... You can find all the free wood you need.
If you don't have the saws and equipment, that can be a bit of an initial investment but a good saw will pay for itself quickly. Don't go low end on a saw, either. Buy a good one like a Stihl or Husky (Husqvarna) and learn how to use them safely. Chains make a big difference, too. Learn the difference between the types of chains available. As with anything else there is more information than you could ever need online with some of the wood cutting forums...just search around and you'll find the best ones.
Cutting wood with a friend or others is always a good idea. It makes the work seem easier/go faster and it's safer. A chainsaw can be pretty unforgiving if you don't use it properly...if the worst happens and you get hurt it'll definitely be a good thing to have help nearby.
My wife is actually showing an interest in learning how to use the saws and splitter. We've been out together a couple of times this year and it was fun. I get pretty nervous watching her use the saw but so far she's done fine. Fortunately we have 16 heavily treed acres and plenty of standing dead pine and aspen every year...not to mention the stuff that's on the ground already. Gathering and burning all the stuff, even the little stuff, also helps to clean up the property a little at a time.
I actually enjoy the process of cutting, blocking and splitting the wood for winter. I really enjoy not having to pay for propane or nat gas and keeping the house as warm as I want when it's cold outside.
