The easiest way to start is with Code Academy and Stanford’s Programming Methodology Class via iTunes University.
After the Getting Started with Programming section is complete at Code Academy, head on over to W3Schools and do some introductory Javascript tutorials. If you find the tutorials difficult, there’s a link to the HTML and CSS sections there, which will be helpful.
You can then continue the Javascript tutorials over at Code Academy with a little more under your belt.
You need not enroll in expensive college coursework. At the pace technology moves, the printed page and class curriculum really can’t keep up. Just be diligent; be curious. That’s all there is to it.