JoAnn's Online has all their rotary cutters for 50% off right now.

I have always used Omnigrid rulers as well. Someone already told you to stick with one brand so they measure the same. Although I have always used the green Olfa mats, this time I wanted a different color-the green gets boring after so many years! I bought a blue Dritz and love it. I can't tell a bit of difference between the two brands.
Even though you may not want to ever have to buy these things again, they do wear out and will eventually need replacing.

I really like the Olfa cutters as well, they close automatically when you put them down. But I found a Martelli ergonomic cutter at the Mid-Atlantic quilt festival and decided to give it a try. It's becoming my favorite cutter now. My wrist doesn't hurt, that was the first thing I noticed after I started using it.

I found a video on youtube showing what it looks like, and a quilter is describing how it works. She does a better job explaining than I could! Video of the Martelli ergo rotary cutter

I love my rotating mat & it is worth every penny I spent on it. You don't need it for every project but when you do need it, it is wonderful.

Welcome to the quilting board! I use a fiskars rotary, works fine, and an Alto's QuiltCut 2, so don't use a mat very much.

Before you buy check walmart if you have one I got the June Taylor shape cut for $5.00. Mats and rotary cutters there too

I prefer the "ergonomic" retractable Olfa cutters and the Olfa mats, including the revolving ones. However, you sometimes need to air them out first. I do have a larger cutting mat on my cutting table from JoAnns.