I also heard the remark about ‘putting too much stock in 1975’ over the years by some older JWs.
My parents were ones who even though what may have been termed "spiritually strong" were always cautioning the 75'ers to not place stock in 1975. They kept telling them that "no one knows the day or hour." They taught me to work hard, save money, and invest wisely for the future. They were very generous to those that had true need, but also not afraid to tell the users and professional lazy to "pound sand". They had no money to give to those that counted on 1975 to get them out of debt. The only thing they had for the disappointed 75'ers was a blunt, "We told you so!"