Yeah. bad place to cheap out... but if you insist, hockey tape is better than nothing. Giver' two wraps because it is so thin. It might wind up being a little sticky and not last too long... or be a permanent ugle lumpy part of the bike after a few years.
Some shops still have older plastic tape - it is thin and slippery and terrible and cheap, but cheap.
There also might be some padded plastic tape around... a little more money, but marginally nice feel.
Cheap faux-cork tape is about $10 per set (two rolls) and it is decent.