Welcome from So. California! If you are new to quilting, may I suggest watching some videos by Jenny Doan of the the Missouri Star Quilt Co. She is very easy to listen to and she uses pre-cut fabric for a lot of her quilts and when she does use a template they fit within the pre-cuts. Cutting larger pieces of fabric can be a challenge. They can give you some inspiration for small and larger quilts.
I love my Accuquilt system and all the dies but I didn't start out with them. I had a large variety of template but gave them away when I got more involved with Accuquilt. (Actually I started quilting before the rotary cutters were sold - truly the best invention for quilting.) I was thrilled when I bought the June Taylor Shape cutter - people on the QB talked about it - it was on clearance price at Walmart so I bought it. Cutting long strips were so much easier than just using a ruler. Also it is great for cutting strips wider than my 6in. ruler.
PS: From your name it sounds like you are a Beatles fan - I was very fortunate and went to see them in Seattle in 1966. Still love them to this day.