Cutting fenders for future flares Options

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I'm going to get flares at some point in the near future, but I need tires now. Rather then buy a skinny set now then buy another wider set later, I'm thinking that I'd just get the wider set now. The idea is that I can trim enough of the fenders to allow the tires to fit, while allowing enough of the fenders there to attach the flares later.

I have a few questiones of those of you that have flares:
*What is your measurement from the ground to the bottom of the stock fender, front and rear.
*What is the measurement after the fender id trimmed, front and rear.

On a related note, If I was to keep the same size tire front and rear, what's the generally accepted size? I'm trying to get a bit more bite on the road without going hog wild.

This end result would be something like this, till I get the flares on.