In one embodiment, a cutting guide has a base with a flat lower surface for resting the cutting guide on an upper surface of a work piece. Extending down from the front of the base is an abutment member that aligns the base with a front surface of the work piece. A fence is installed on the upper surface of one side of the base to guide a cutting instrument across the work piece. A kick-up preventer extends from the top of the fence away from the base to prevent the cutting instrument from kicking-up during operation. On the other side of the base, a tape measure is mounted on the upper surface such that the tape extends away from the fence, and a measurement-securing assembly is mounted in front of the tape measure to secure the tape measure at a desired measurement.