Welcome from NJ. I agree with what many others have said...self-healing mat; rotary cutter; ruler. Only suggestion I would make is, if you are shopping for these items, try placing different brands of rulers on different fabrics that you generally find appealing. We all prefer different rulers' colors and markings. Find one that works for you. I would also recommend that as you go along - stick with the same brand ruler as you acquire different sizes so your measurements will be consistent. A good ruler to start with is 6 x 24 so you can cut a full, folded width of fabric. If you can get/afford a wider one - say up to 8" - that would be even better.
But basically, just jump in and have fun! Enjoy the process - it's not a race!