With the cost of living on the rise, we all need to save our pennies where we can - and that extends to shopping. 

If you didn't get the memo already, updating your wardrobe or restocking your makeup bag "off-season" - AKA when the sales are on - is a great time to snap up a bargain.

Enter the bi-annual Afterpay Day sale.

Hosted every March and August, the sale runs for four days, starting on Thursday 16 March and finishing up on Sunday 19 March. Some brands have even started early.

Expect up to 70 per cent off from over 5,000 retailers including The Iconic, Adore Beauty, Myer and Dyson. You can pay in four instalments through the app or use your card as normal - it's up to you.

With so much on sale (it's a lot), our lifestyle team have done the hard work for you and listed their top picks.

(Psst: Just want to know the deals? Scroll on down to the bottom of the page for a big list of brands involved and their discounts.)

"Nothing quite beats a basic black dress - it's versatile and will never go out of style. I've been after a slip dress with thick straps for quite some time and this is exactly what I've been looking for. I'll wear it all the time - casually and dressed up."

"I'm the kind of person who will chuck on sandals no matter the weather, and these are just cool. The chunky sole, triple strap and slip-on design ticks all my boxes, and so does the price."

"Sale time is when I look to update my jewellery collection - and at the moment, I'm looking for some designer-inspired chunky gold earrings. These statement earrings are exactly that."

"I've also been seeing everyone wearing tennis necklaces and bracelets and now desperately want one too."

"I've been after a new rug for the longest time but keep putting it off because of how much they cost. But a few people recommended this brand to me because they're affordable, many are stain resistant and (the best part) pet-friendly. This one's currently in my cart."

"I JUST bought a new bottle of this last Friday - what a plonker! But I’m going to snap another one up in the sales because I go through them so quickly. It's hands down my favourite spendy foundation for events, weddings etc."

"I'm currently using a mini version of this to get me through until my wedding and things are looking dire (there's not much left) - so this sale couldn't have come at a better time. It's just meant to be, you guys. This is hands down one of the absolute BEST serums of all time - and makes my face look bright, clear and healthy. It's also expensive as hell, so it would be silly not to!"

"Everybody needs a neutral blazer in the closet, whether it's for work or to dress up a casual outfit on weekends. I'll be living in this oversized fawn one this season, it's such a great staple piece and will look dreamy back with blue jeans!"

"I always recommend a pair of neat leather or PU pants to fill that gap in your wardrobe that jeans can't service. These are the perfect tailored cut with an ankle crop, meaning they'll work with sneakers, slides or heels. I'll be wearing them with t-shirts and oversized shirts now, and knits and blazers come winter."

"These are a cult style by Alias Mae, and for a reason - they literally go with EVERYTHING. Once I started wearing them, I never took them off. The chunky leather straps are on-trend but still timeless, and I can't rave enough about the comfort of the moulded footbed. Bury me in these slides."

"I wanted to buy a Dyson stick hoover a year ago, but then chickened out and bought a cheap knock-off and you know what? I HAVE REGRETS. The other one I got was good for about a month and then lost all its sucking power and now it blows sand around my flat whenever I try to clean. So I'm doing the thing I should have done a year ago, and I'm buying the damn Dyson! Specifically, this one."

"I'm in need of a new pyjama set so badly. I've got my eye on this one - the colour is fabulous and won't get dirty easily, the material is amazing (my friend has one and says it's super comfy) and it's cute! Winning."

"This dress is the perfect piece for the coming season - floaty enough for warmer temperatures, but also with the sleeves, will be fabulous in autumn. Plus... the colour!! Immediately added to cart."

The Iconic: 25 per cent off fashion, 40 per cent off home, and 30 per cent off beauty. Sale runs from March 14 to March 20.

Cotton On: 30 per cent off sitewide. Sale runs from March 13 to March 19.

Nude Lucy: 25 per cent off select styles. Sale runs from March 15 to March 19. 

Myer: Mid-season sale on now, including 30 per cent off selected women's clothing.

Glassons: 20 per cent off sitewide including on sale items. Sale runs from March 15 to March 19.

Reebok: 30 per cent off full price classics apparel, select Zig Kinetic 2.5 articles, $100 select Club C 85 seasonal articles. Sale runs from March 16 to March 19.

New Balance: spend $200+ save 20 per cent, spend $300+ save 25 per cent, spend $400+ save 30 per cent. Sale runs from March 16 to March 19.

P.E Nation: 30 per cent off thousands of styles. Sale runs from March 13 to March 19.  

Arms Of Eve: 20 per cent off sitewide (except stacks, bundles and gift cards). Sale runs from March 16 to March 19.  

Kate Ford: 10 per cent off sitewide. Sale runs from March 17 to March 19. Use code: AFTERPAYDAY.

Kate Spade: Mid-season sale offer up to 50 per cent off. Sale runs from March 16 to March 19.  

Friday of Audrey: 30 per cent off storewide.

Mimmi Terra: 20 per cent off storewide. 

Saint Valentine: 20 per cent of sitewide *exclusions apply.

ASOS: Up to 70 per cent off, plus, an extra 15 per cent off with the code Afterpayday. Sale runs from March 16 to March 19.  

Steve Madden: 30 per cent off full priced styles. Sale runs from March 15 to March 19.

Guess: 30 per cent off full priced styles, excluding selected fragrance. Sale runs from March 15 to March 19.

Country Road: Up to 50 per cent off select styles. Sale runs from March 13 to March 19.  

Seed: 20 per cent off sitewide. Sale runs from 6pm, March 15 to midnight, March 19.

Modibodi: Shop the full range of period-proof underwear at 20 per cent off. Sale runs from March 16 to March 19. 

Gorman: Up to 50 per cent off select styles. Sale runs from March 16 to March 19. 

Hype DC: Up to 50 per cent off big brands, including Nike, Veja, and New Balance. Sale runs from March 14 to March 19. 

Dr. Martens: Up to 40 per cent off sitewide. Sale runs from March 14 to March 19. 

Aje and AJE ATHLETICA: 20 per cent off select styles. Sale runs from March 16 to March 19.  

Emu Australia: 20 per cent off excluding Platinum Collection (no code required). Sale runs from March 16 to March 19.

Adore Beauty: Up to 25 per cent off select skincare brands, including SkinCeuticals, La Roche Posay and Alpha H. Up to 40 per cent off makeup brands including Armani, Lancome, and Benefit. And up to 20 per cent off fragrances. Sale runs from midnight, March 15 to midnight, March 19.

Sephora: 20 per cent off with a minimum spend of $100. Use the code AFTERPAY at checkout. Sale runs from March 16 to March 19.

Who Is Elijah: 20 per cent off storewide on their website, with no minimum spend.

Vida Glow: 20 per cent off beauty supplements sitewide and 30 per cent off skincare. Sale runs from March 16 to March 19. 

Estée Lauder: 20 per cent off sitewide plus gift with purchases over $130. Sale runs from March 16 to March 19. 

Kiehl's: 20 per cent off sitewide plus gift with purchases over $150. Sale runs from March 16 to March 19. 

Gem Oral Care: 30 per cent off the Self Care Set, was $158, now $110.

Bobbi Brown: 20 per cent off sitewide plus gift with purchases over $150. Sale runs from March 16 to March 19. 

Naked Sundays: 20 per cent off sitewide with the code AFTERPAYDAY20. Sale runs from March 16 to March 19. 

Mermade Hair: 20 per cent off hair tools and hair products sitewide. Sale runs from March 15 to March 19. 

Vitable: 40 per cent off your first personalised vitamin pack. Sale ends on March 31.

It Cosmetics: 20 per cent off sitewide and gift with purchase if you spend over $100. Sale runs from March 14 to March 19. 

Tribe Skincare: 20 per cent off sitewide. Sale runs from March 16 to March 19. 

James Cosmetics: Buy one, get one free. Sale runs from March 16 to March 19.

Myer: Up to 50 per cent off homewares.

Dyson: Up to $400 off on select Dyson tech for Dyson Week. Sale runs until March 22.

Miss Amara: 30 per cent off sitewide. Sale runs from March 14 to March 19. 

Hommey: Up to 25 per cent off all cushions. Sale runs from March 13 to March 19. 

I Love Linen: 25 per cent off quilt covers and sheet sets. 10 per cent off wear, dining and living. Sale runs from March 16 to March 19.

Casetify: Buy one get 10 per cent off, buy two get 20 per cent off, and Magsafe cases 15 per cent off. Use code Afterpayday23. Sale runs from March 16 5o March 19.

Marimekko: 50 per cent off selected home items. Offer available online only. Sale runs from March 16 to March 19. 

Koala: Up to 30 per cent off mattresses, furniture, and homewares. Sale runs from March 16 to March 19. 

Kitchenaid: Up to 25 per cent off select products. Sale runs from March 16 to March 19. 

Dri-Glo: Up to 70 per cent off sitewide. Sale runs from March 16 to March 18.

What are you buying in the sales? Tell us in the comments below.

At Mamamia, we independently choose and write about products our writers genuinely recommend. We have affiliate partnerships so if you use these links to buy something, Mamamia may earn a small commission.

Feature image: The Iconic/Dyson/Adore Beauty.