When I first started quilting I used cardboard, pencils and scissors. I didn't think much about it. Even my first GFG quilt I used a plexiglass template, traced it on the fabric and then cut it. Then a friend of mine took a quilting class, found out about the rotary cutter and mat. We went to FedCo and bought the Olfa set for I believe was $15.00. We thought we had died and gone to heaven. I still have the mat and cutter - both still work well. The mat is too small now - but at the time it was perfect.
My first 6 x 18 inch ruler - well, lets just say it was a few curves that weren't there when it was new. I still have it for sentimental reasons, but no longer use it.