Lots of great advice, so I will offer two.
One: try not to buy everything you see, hear about, think you wanna do one day, I truly wish I had started by purchasing just what I needed for each project/quilt. Finish that project BEFORE I started another. Rather than just buying willy nilly everything that caught my eye. Then YOU won't be looking around your sewing room saying "what was I thinking?
Two: a great quilter who started/helped found the Quilters of South Carolina once said "No matter what, It is your quilt, do it your way" That one phrase freed me from the "the quilt police".
I hope your venture into quilting will be rewarding and give you a great sense of accomplishment the rest of your days.
Happy Quilting
Murphy