This post comes from Renee Morad at partner site Money Talks News.

If you're a merchant seeking profits, there's only one way to find them: Sell stuff for more than you pay for it.

But what's a fair markup? Fifty percent? One hundred? Two? It depends on both product and business, but one thing's for sure -- some consumer goods are being sold for a whole lot more than they cost. Whether you're sipping a martini in a swanky bar or bottled water from the grocery store, odds are, you're swallowing an astronomical markup. 

Here, in no particular order, is a list of 20 products with high markups, along with ways to avoid paying a premium.

What's harder to digest: (1) Movie theater popcorn has an average markup of 1,275% or (2) with a soda, that popcorn has a caloric equivalent of three McDonald's Quarter Pounders? Nutrition aside, concession items like $5 tubs of popcorn and $6 boxes of Gummy Worms are big revenue streams for movie theaters.

Since most theaters prohibit moviegoers from bringing in outside food and drinks, the way to save is to bypass concessions altogether. If you can't, find your cinematic savings elsewhere, like getting a five-pack of movie tickets for $30 at CinemaDeals.com.

Astronomical prescription drug prices -- with markups ranging from 200% to 3,000% -- are enough to give patients a headache. In fact, price hikes caught the eye of Arizona Attorney General Tom Horne, who is suing pharmaceuticals distributor McKesson for markups on Allegra, Celebrex, Coumadin, Flonase, Lipitor and Valium.

To save on prescriptions, ask your doctor for free samples and also ask about generic substitutes. Comparison shopping is also a great idea. Wal-Mart, Target and warehouse stores like Costco are good places to start. And take advantage of mail-order suppliers like Express Scripts if your prescription drug plan offers it. Check out "10 tips to safely save on prescriptions."

Shoppers in the market for a diamond should be prepared to pay anywhere from 50% to 200% more than the wholesale cost, according to The Street.

A diamond's sparkle may cause shoppers to turn a blind eye to the price tag, but you can land a better deal by understanding what you're buying and shopping around. Read our guide to buying diamonds in five simple steps.

Some claim bottled water's markup reaches 4,000% -- more expensive than gasoline. Saving is simple: Drink tap water. If you're concerned about taste or quality, use a water filtration system.

Some salad bar items are marked up more than 350%, according to Food Network Magazine (.pdf file). Items that aren't worth their weight: chickpeas (386% markup over retail), radishes (302%) and baby corn (277%). To save, load up on the lighter items that cost less than you'd pay at the grocery store, like bacon bits (55% markdown) and grilled chicken (44%).

Dishing out $450 for Armani frames? Markups for eyeglass frames can reach 1,000%. That's certainly not unheard-of. Fortunately, focusing on warehouse stores and the Internet can help you find discounts. Check out "8 ways to save on eyeglasses" for more ways to save up to 90%.

Order a glass of Coke when you're dining out and you could pay 300% to 600% over cost. Sure, you know going into a restaurant that you're paying for the service and ambiance too. But if you're looking to save without sacrificing a night out, skip the extras like soda and opt for water instead.

Outgoing text messages on a cellphone can cost the provider three-tenths of a cent, but users pay up to 20 cents. A 6,000% markup is not unusual. Some plans charge 10,000 times more for sending a text than other types of data. If you frequently send text messages, get an unlimited plan.

It's not uncommon for restaurants to charge two or even three times retail for a bottle of wine. Order by the glass and you're sipping on an item marked up as much as 400%. So scan the menu for a reasonably priced bottle (tip: look for house wines).

Whether you're reaching for a Snickers or a toothpaste kit, minibar markups can hit 400%. Some of the most ludicrous minibar prices, according to Oyster.com: $14 Gummy Bears at Omni Berkshire Place and a $10 bottle of water at the Mansfield Hotel. Simple solution: Leave your room if you want these items.

Lattes are one of life's little luxuries, but they can be marked up by 300%. If you're looking to save, start by turning on your coffee maker and bypassing the coffee shop.

Some of the world's most expensive handbags: a $3.8 million purse made by Mouawad that's adorned with more than 4,000 colorless diamonds, and a $1.9 million Hermes Birkin bag.

Women own an average of 10 handbags and spend an average of $148 on a handbag "splurge," according to a ShopSmart poll. Keep more cash in your purse by comparison-shopping online and in outlet stores. For more tips, read our story on finding designer accessories at deep discounts.

A $665 price tag on Gucci jeans and $225 for Sevens proves some shoppers are willing to go to great lengths for fashion. But these designer items are grossly overpriced. 

According to The Wall Street Journal, it costs about $50 to make True Religion's best-selling jeans, Super T Jeans, but the wholesale price reaches $152, and the average retail price is inflated to $335.

For items that can easily be baked at home, you could be paying a 100% markup. Granted, convenience is a factor, and maybe a baker is a better cook than you. If so, a good cookbook could offer a decent return on investment.

Greeting cards are simple pieces of paper with a 200% markup. And that's before factoring in so-called "Hallmark holidays." On a budget? Make your own cards, or, better yet, if you have school-aged children, have them design one. This will likely amount to a more sentimental gesture and will leave a lasting impression.

Most college students will shell out about $655 for required textbooks this year, according to the National Association of College Stores. It's no secret that most of these books come with monster markups. Read "11 ways to save big on college textbooks" for cost-cutting tips, from asking professors about coursework in advance to textbook rentals.

An orchid can cost up to $25 per stem. Add Valentine's Day or a wedding into the mix and prices can surge. While disregarding flower purchases altogether isn't always an option, shopping around for the best price is. Check out online retailers, and buy in season to help cut costs.

Produce is often marked up as much as 75%. Buying in season is the best way to find a bargain. As we explain in our seasonal savings post, look for deals on grapefruits and oranges in January, asparagus in March and melons in May. Also steer clear of pre-cut veggies and fruit, which often have an additional markup of about 40%.

Furniture stores usually make a hefty margin, with markups of about 80%. Try to shop during sales, but if your timing is off, don't be afraid to negotiate a better price. Also take note of the product number, and then search online to see if any other retailers offer a lower price.

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The average markup on cosmetics: 78%. Since most cosmetics are made from various combinations of dirt, oil, wax and fragrance, it's surprising that shoppers pay such a premium. But thanks to anti-aging claims and celebrity-endorsed marketing, shoppers have been breaking the bank to look younger and more beautiful. 

Fortunately, there are some simple ways to get more bang for your buck when purchasing beauty products (hint: skip the drugstores and load up on free samples).

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