I'm really disappointed that I missed it. I got the email as well for the 50% discount but I was holding off until this weekend when I got paid to resubscribe. I simply can't afford $99.95 for lifetime right now.
No need to be disappointed. I am a CFO and I can tell you all you need to do. Since you already could have afforded the membership on this paycheck at 50% off, just save that 50% until later. Now just either take the other 50% from your next check or, set aside a little bit at a time and before you know it, you will have the membership covered. Even at full price, if you are planning on staying on here (asumption since you've got 2 years), you get a far greater "bang for your buck" with the Lifetime Membership in the long run.
I bought it at full price shortly after making that comment. I recently quit playing RuneScape and realized I forgot to sell all my in-game currency. I got around $900 for it.
Glad you could join the land of the living.