If you want to get hold of a rare earth magnet, but don't want to pay heaps, try and find an old non-working computer hard drive (if you're only going to use it once)
http://www.instructables.com/id/Pull...-get-rare-ear/
I use purpose made rare earth magnets for metal detecting out in the goldfields (I have rigged it up to a bucket, broomstick and a car battery, making it an electromagnet) to pick up any iron junk that is on the surface (generally leaving me with the goodies...gold) under the surface..... If i'm lucky.